Israel Arrests 8 Over Settler Attacks on Diplomats and US Photographer in West Bank

Israeli police have arrested eight suspects over weekend attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians, European diplomats and Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine in the occupied West Bank, The Times of Israel reported.

The arrests were made under an operation named “Olive Leaf,” launched at dawn in coordination with the Shin Bet security agency and with an escort from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), police said. “So far, eight suspects have been arrested and several vehicles have been seized,” they said. The suspects have been taken for questioning, and the operation continues.

IDF and Border Police forces are also carrying out enforcement operations to dismantle illegal settler outposts, address violations of military-issued restraining orders and investigate an “intrusion into a Palestinian home,” police added.

THE TWO ATTACKS

Levine was violently assaulted on Friday while covering Palestinians harvesting olives in the Binyamin region. She underwent surgery at Beilinson Hospital on Saturday, according to The Jerusalem Post. Her condition was reported as moderate, with injuries to her limbs.

The next day, European diplomats from France, Belgium and Poland were targeted near the Palestinian Christian village of Taybeh, east of Ramallah.

INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNATION

The Taybeh attack drew condemnation from European governments and Canada, with officials calling for accountability and for protection for diplomats and civilians. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said Ottawa joined the European Union and its allies in condemning it. “This unacceptable attack in Taybeh is part of a broader pattern of settler violence that threatens Palestinian communities and undermines peace efforts,” she said on X.

Welcoming the police investigation, Anand said Israel, “as the occupying power,” must hold those responsible accountable and guarantee the protection of diplomats and civilians in the West Bank.

ISRAEL’S RESPONSE

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also condemned the violence. He said a police investigation had been opened and forensic investigators were collecting evidence to identify those responsible. He noted, however, that the diplomatic delegation’s visit had not been coordinated with the IDF in advance, which could have helped safeguard the visitors.

The IDF separately condemned the attack and said police officers and forensic investigators had entered the area with soldiers to collect evidence and record witness testimony.

According to a preliminary military inquiry, no IDF soldiers were present when the attack happened. The initial report, the army said, went to a brigade operations room meant for reports from security personnel and not civilians, and the circumstances would be examined.

With inputs from ANI