Israel Police Arrest 10 Suspects for West Bank Attacks on Palestinians and Foreigners
Israeli police arrested 10 Israeli citizens in the early hours of Oct. 19, on suspicion of participating in multiple violent attacks in the West Bank that targeted Palestinians, European diplomats, and an American photojournalist.
Early Morning Arrests Across the West Bank
The suspects were detained in multiple locations across the central West Bank, according to Israeli law enforcement statements cited in the reporting. During the detentions, police recovered evidence linked to the alleged crimes and seized several vehicles. An early morning video released by police showed officers inspecting a home where they recovered two slingshot devices allegedly used for throwing stones.
The operation involved a joint effort by Israeli police, military forces, and the Shin Bet internal security agency. Police Commissioner Danny Levy issued a statement addressing the scope of the enforcement action. “The law in the Judea and Samaria area applies to everyone, regardless of their identity or group affiliation,” Levy said, adding that the force remains committed to conducting professional, equal, and impartial law enforcement based on evidence.
Israeli authorities have not released the identities of the 10 individuals arrested.
Attacks on Journalists and European Diplomats
The sweep follows a string of high-profile assaults in the West Bank that drew sharp condemnation from Western allies. On Oct. 16, Washington Post journalist Heidi Levin was attacked by a group of masked Israeli settlers while interviewing Palestinians harvesting olives. Video footage from the scene captured multiple individuals striking Levin, an incident that left at least two people injured.
Just one day later, a separate group of masked settlers wielding metal clubs targeted a delegation of European diplomats visiting the West Bank. Bernard Baudoux, a 78-year-old French mayor, stated that he was beaten with metal clubs and kicked before being knocked to the ground.
In response to the assaults on foreign nationals, the United States called on Israeli authorities to crack down on settler violence and bring the perpetrators of the attack on the Washington Post journalist to justice. France, Belgium, and Poland—the nations of origin for the targeted diplomats and officials—similarly urged immediate action.
Settler Attacks Rise as Israeli Officials Offer Conflicting Views
Prosecutions of Israeli settlers remain exceptionally rare, according to data from the Israeli settler monitoring organization Yesh Din. The group reported that since the annual olive harvest season began in late September, Israeli settlers have participated in at least 170 attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank.
High-ranking officials within the Israeli government have offered conflicting characterizations of the violence. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and the military both attributed the attacks on diplomats to “Israeli thugs.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu adopted a more cautious stance regarding the diplomatic incident. Netanyahu asserted that the diplomats entered a sensitive area with a history of conflict without coordinating their visit with the military. He also stated that the factual circumstances surrounding Levin’s assault remain unclear.