Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers in the occupied West Bank on Friday, burning olive trees and throwing stones at villagers during the annual harvest, in an assault that injured at least two people, including a photojournalist working for The Washington Post.
Around 80 masked settlers, some carrying gas canisters, descended on a terraced olive grove near Abu Falah, where Palestinian residents had gathered to collect olives, according to Reuters witnesses. The attackers used slingshots to hurl stones at the villagers, who retreated down the hillside before throwing stones in response.
The incident highlights growing concerns over settler violence in the West Bank, particularly during the olive harvest, an important source of income for Palestinian farming communities and a longstanding part of their cultural heritage.
Moutaz Abdelhadi, a 42-year-old farmer who witnessed the attack, said the settlers were attempting to drive Palestinians from their homes.
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Israeli Military Arrives as Violence Continues
Israeli military vehicles entered the area while the confrontation was underway, but the violence continued after their arrival.
Israeli soldiers fired tear gas towards Palestinians who had moved away from the approaching military jeeps. Live gunfire could also be heard, and a Reuters photographer witnessed at least one armed settler firing a gun.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Palestinian medics said two people were injured and taken to hospitals near Ramallah. One of the injured was Heidi Levine, a photojournalist with The Washington Post. The newspaper did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The circumstances surrounding the injuries and the military’s response remain important questions as concerns grow over the protection of Palestinian civilians during settler attacks.
Settler Violence Rises During Olive Harvest
The attack in Abu Falah was part of a broader pattern of violence against Palestinian communities across the occupied West Bank.
According to Yesh Din, an Israeli organisation monitoring settlement-related violence, at least 170 attacks against Palestinians had occurred since September 27, around the beginning of the annual olive harvest.
The harvest is particularly significant for Palestinian farmers, many of whom depend on olive cultivation for their livelihoods. Attacks that destroy trees, damage property or prevent access to farmland can cause economic losses that extend beyond a single harvest season.
The assault in Abu Falah followed another attack on Friday morning near Turmus Ayya, where settlers reportedly burned three cars after confronting farmers collecting olives.
Salah Abu Niswa, who witnessed that incident, said the attackers approached the farmers and assaulted a man who had been separated from the group.
The incidents have intensified concerns that Palestinian agricultural communities face growing threats to their safety and access to land during one of the most important periods of the farming calendar.
Netanyahu Government Faces Criticism
The rise in settler violence has drawn scrutiny of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government, which has overseen the expansion of settlements and smaller outposts across the West Bank.
Netanyahu has condemned settler violence, but critics argue that the government has done too little to prevent attacks or hold perpetrators accountable.
The violence has also contributed to international criticism of Israel’s settlement policies, with some of its longstanding allies considering or pursuing measures against individuals associated with settler attacks.
The West Bank is home to approximately 500,000 Israeli settlers and at least three million Palestinians.
The United Nations and most countries consider Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank illegal under international law. Israel disputes this position and describes the territory as disputed rather than occupied.
The expansion of settlements and the continued violence have further complicated prospects for a political settlement between Israelis and Palestinians.
Why the Olive Harvest Matters
For Palestinian communities, olive harvesting is more than an agricultural activity. It is an important source of household income and a tradition closely connected to family life, land ownership and cultural identity.
Violence during the harvest can prevent farmers from reaching their groves, damage trees that take years to mature and undermine the economic security of rural communities.
The attacks also raise broader questions about freedom of movement, the protection of civilians and the ability of Palestinians to maintain their livelihoods in the occupied territory.
When farmers cannot safely access their land, the consequences extend beyond immediate injuries or property damage. Repeated disruptions can weaken local economies and deepen the pressure on communities already facing restrictions and uncertainty.
What Happens Next?
The latest attacks add to mounting pressure on Israeli authorities to prevent settler violence and ensure accountability for those responsible.
The immediate concerns include the condition of the injured, the extent of the damage to Palestinian farmland and whether Israeli authorities will investigate the incidents.
More broadly, the continuing violence threatens to deepen tensions across the West Bank at a time when settlement expansion and competing territorial claims remain major obstacles to a lasting peace.
For Palestinian farming communities, the consequences are immediate: protecting their livelihoods increasingly depends on whether they can reach and harvest their land without facing violence.
The response of Israeli authorities will be closely watched as international scrutiny of settlement activity and attacks against Palestinians continues.
With information from Reuters.
