Israeli police detain 10 after attacks on journalist and diplomats in West Bank

Israeli police said on Monday that they had detained 10 people in an operation following separate attacks on a photojournalist and European diplomatic visitors in the occupied West Bank. The operation also covered suspected breaches of a closed military zone order and illegal construction. Police have not said which detainees are suspected of involvement in either attack. [8] [7]

Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine was beaten on Friday while reporting on the Palestinian olive harvest near Abu Falah. She underwent surgery on a finger; the Associated Press reported that she also suffered broken ribs and vertebrae. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had described the attack as “alleged”, a description Levine told AP left her “shocked and insulted”. [9] [8]

The following day, a group visiting Taybeh was attacked by masked settlers. France’s foreign ministry said the mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries was assaulted and representatives of French, Belgian and Polish diplomatic missions were targeted. Poland’s foreign ministry also condemned the attack. [1] [2]

Police said they seized vehicles and other items they believe link suspects to alleged offences, and took the detainees for questioning. An earlier police update put the number detained at eight; a subsequent update raised it to 10. Police have not identified the detainees or set out their individual suspected roles. [7] [8] [5] [6]