Israeli settlers attack Palestinians, journalists at West Bank olive harvest, witnesses say [View all]

Source: Reuters

JERUSALEM, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Israeli settlers attacked a group of Palestinian villagers, activists and journalists on Saturday who had gathered during an attempt to harvest olives near a settler outpost in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, witnesses said.
Two Reuters employees - a journalist and a security adviser accompanying her - were among those injured in the attack by the men who wielded sticks and clubs and hurled large rocks, in an area close to the Palestinian village of Beita.
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On Saturday, about 30 villagers and activists, plus about 10 journalists, had gathered for the harvest when dozens of men descended from the outpost on a hill and launched an attack, beating people with sticks and repeatedly striking Reuters photographer Raneen Sawafta as she tried to protect herself, witnesses said.

Jonathan Pollak, an Israeli rights activist who witnessed the incident, said about 50 masked settlers were involved, saying those who attacked Sawafta "beat her up without mercy, continuing to stone her while she was on the ground and then continuing to attack everyone who was coming to her help."
He said the settlers shouted in Hebrew, including comments such as "Go from there."
Sawafta was accompanied by Reuters security adviser Grant Bowden who was beaten as he tried to protect her. Her camera equipment was smashed.


Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-settlers-attack-palestinians-journalists-west-bank-olive-harvest-2025-11-08/