Masked Israeli settlers beat Washington Post journalist and burn olive trees in West Bank harvest attack

Masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian olive harvesters near the West Bank village of Abu Falah, knocking Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine — a seasoned American photojournalist — to the ground and repeatedly kicking her before making off with her cameras and phone. Around 80 settlers, some carrying gas canisters, descended from a hillside settlement outpost into terraced olive groves and set two vehicles alight. Israeli military jeeps arrived while the assault was still ongoing, but soldiers turned tear gas on the Palestinians rather than the settlers; at least one armed settler was seen discharging a weapon.

Speaking from her hospital bed, Levine said: 'They just kept kicking and kicking me — without my flak jacket and helmet I probably wouldn't even be here.'

Levine was wearing a clearly marked 'PRESS' vest and a helmet when she was assaulted and stripped of her camera equipment.