Netanyahu calls for probe into ‘who initiated’ settler attack on Washington Post journalist

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has called for an investigation into the identity of the individual or group that instigated a settler attack on Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine in the West Bank. According to the office's statement, the facts surrounding the incident remain unclear, and they urged authorities to determine "who initiated the violence."

The attack occurred near Abu Falah, northeast of Ramallah, where around 40 Israeli youths were confronted by a group of approximately 200 Arabs and far-left activists. Netanyahu's office cited these reports, though did not specify the source or origin of these numbers. The statement explicitly denied allowing such disputed incidents to be used to harm the reputation of the Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria, the Israeli government's term for the West Bank.

Eyewitnesses reported that around 80 masked Israeli settlers launched the assault on 64-year-old Levine, who was covering Palestinian olive pickers. Video footage shows the attackers throwing Levine to the ground, repeatedly kicking her, and stealing her cameras, phone, and passport. Levine recounted the incident, stating that the attackers "just kept kicking me and kicking me" and taking her possessions.

Washington Post executive editor Matt Murray called for a comprehensive investigation, emphasizing that Levine was wearing visible markings clearly identifying her as a journalist. Amid the attack, Israeli settlers also set olive groves ablaze and hurled rocks at nearby Palestinians.