A new investigation uses video evidence to dispute official Israeli claims regarding an attack on journalist Heidi Levine in the West Bank.
An Al Jazeera investigation now challenges official Israeli claims about a recent attack. Masked settlers assaulted Palestinian olive harvesters and American journalist Heidi Levine. The incident occurred near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.
Also, the Data Journalism Unit analyzed over 20 videos and photos. They used open-source verification to map the event. The evidence shows a coordinated attack by settlers.
Then, the team confirmed Levine suffered serious injuries. She sustained a broken rib and four fractured vertebrae. She also required surgery on her hand despite wearing a press vest.
Next, the investigation mapped the exact location of the assault. Coordinates place the attack near a settler outpost. Local sources say settlers now occupy nearby Palestinian storage rooms.
Meanwhile, chronological footage reveals how the violence escalated. Settlers arrived in vehicles and on motorcycles early that morning. Soon, about 30 settlers gathered near the farmers.
After that, witnesses saw Israeli military vehicles pass the settlers. The soldiers did not stop the masked men. Observers described this as a green light for the attack.
Still, the settlers set fire to olive trees. They then advanced toward the harvesters and the journalists. Palestinian youths threw stones to help protect the group.
Finally, the footage documents the assault on Levine. Colleagues pulled her to safety while local youths provided cover. The army later fired tear gas at the harvesters.
However, Israeli officials offer conflicting accounts of these events. The Prime Minister's office claims the facts remain unclear. They suggest a large group of activists confronted the settlers first.
Also, the military claims they arrived to stop a violent confrontation. They mention warning shots and firing at a suspect. They do not address the settler violence or the gunfire.
As a result, U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee condemned the attack. He called the assault on the photographer a cowardly act of terror. He demanded prison time for the attackers.