West Bank: Israel arrests 10 suspects over settler attacks on US journalist, European diplomats

Israeli police have arrested 10 suspects in connection with settler violence in the West Bank, including attacks on a US photojournalist and European diplomats. The incidents occurred over the weekend, with masked settlers assaulting US journalist Heidi Levine while she covered a Palestinian olive harvest, leaving her with broken vertebrae.

The following day, settlers attacked a convoy of European diplomats and French mayor Bernard Baudoux, who was visiting the West Bank to assist with the harvest. Israeli police and media reported that the Shin Bet domestic security service was involved in the ongoing investigation. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Israeli rioters for the attacks, with Netanyahu stating that the diplomats entered a sensitive area without prior coordination with the Israeli military.

The attacks come ahead of the crucial October 27 elections for Netanyahu. However, Palestinians, journalists, and international observers have little confidence that the arrests will lead to charges against the alleged perpetrators, citing a low conviction rate in similar cases.

Brief written by urgent.news from DW News's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.