Israeli settlers beat AFP photographer covering olive violence
Israeli settlers attacked an AFP photographer and opened fire while journalists documented violence against Palestinian olive farmers in the occupied West Bank
NABLUS, Palestine (MNTV) — Israeli settlers beat an AFP photographer and fired weapons toward journalists as they documented attacks on Palestinian olive farmers in the occupied West Bank.
Arab News, citing AFP, reported that photographer Jaafar Ashtiyeh suffered bruising to his head and torso and was taken to hospital after the attack near Aqraba.
Ashtiyeh and fellow AFP photographer John Wessels were covering Palestinian farmers harvesting olives when a quad bike approached them and a man opened fire. A Palestinian was shot in the foot and taken for medical treatment, according to the Palestine Red Crescent Society.
Several other men then approached the journalists while firing guns. Ashtiyeh was attacked as he tried to reach a vehicle, while Wessels was threatened at gunpoint. The attackers also took Ashtiyeh’s camera equipment.
The violence occurred despite the reported presence of at least a dozen Israeli soldiers nearby. Wessels said the person who initially opened fire was wearing clothing resembling a mixture of civilian and military attire.
The assault illustrates the increasingly dangerous conditions facing Palestinians and journalists documenting settler violence in the occupied West Bank, where the olive harvest has become a recurring target of attacks and intimidation.
AFP said it had contacted the Israeli military for comment.
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