A Palestinian journalist exits an ambulance upon arriving at Rafidia Hospital in Nablus after reportedly being injured by Israeli settlers while covering the olive harvest in the Palestinian village of Baita, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. AFP
The Foreign Press Association (FPA), which represents hundreds of foreign journalists, said it was "appalled" by the recent settlers attacks, especially during this year's olive harvest.
"Journalists, both local and foreign, have proven to be a clear target as they document an unprecedented level of unchecked violence against Palestinians during this year's olive harvest," the association said, citing two incidents involving journalists from international media outlets.
The FPA said that on Saturday two employees of Reuters wearing clearly marked press vests and helmets were assaulted by masked Israeli settlers armed with clubs and rocks near the Palestinian village of Beita.
"A mob of dozens of settlers beat one of the employees, a female reporter, while she was already on the ground, resulting in severe injuries," the FPA said.
"They also attacked those who tried to help her. A Reuters security person was hit, and two Palestinian freelance journalists were injured while being chased."
On October 10, settlers beat a veteran AFP photographer with sticks when filming the olive harvest in the same area.
His car, along with a handful of others parked at a safe distance from the field, was stoned and then set on fire by the assailants.
"The photographer, who testified it was one of the worst attacks in his 30-year career, reported that Israeli forces at the scene refused to intervene, instead firing rubber bullets and tear gas at olive pickers and activists accompanying them," the FPA said.
Several such incidents have occurred in the last few weeks, the FPA added.
"Israeli forces routinely harass and intimidate journalists, in some cases detaining them and threatening them with deportation," the FPA said.
"This is all part of a deepening climate of hostility toward the media by Israeli authorities," it added, urging the authorities to investigate the incidents and hold the perpetrators accountable.
"In particular, we urge central command head Major General Avi Bluth and police commander Moshe Pinchi to uphold their duties to ensure that journalists can work freely and safely," the association said.
"There cannot be press freedom in an environment in which journalists are threatened and harmed with complete impunity."
Almost none of the perpetrators have been held to account by the Israeli authorities.
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, and Israeli settlements there are expanding.
Some 500,000 Israeli settlers live in the Palestinian territory and some of them have also attacked farmers trying to access their olive trees almost every day this year since the season began in mid-October, according to the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority.
All settlements in the Palestinian territories are illegal under international law.
A new United Nations report revealed a sharp rise in violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank since the beginning of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza.
The report highlighted an overlap between settler violence and Israeli army operations.
The UN humanitarian office has said that in October, it documented the highest monthly number of Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians and their property in the West Bank since the office began keeping track in 2006.
There were over 260 attacks, or an average of eight incidents per day, the office reported.
This ongoing violence has led to the forcible displacement of dozens of communities entirely or partially,
* This story was edited by Ahram Online.
Short link: