Violence Erupts: Israeli Settlers Beat Foreign Volunteers in West Bank

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Photo: AFP

Israeli Settlers Assault American Volunteers in West Bank Olive Grove

On Sunday, eight primarily American volunteers were attacked by Israeli settlers while assisting Palestinian farmers in an olive grove near the Palestinian village of Qusra. David Hummel, an American-German member of the group, recounted the incident, stating, “We were standing there peacefully, not a threat to anyone, when they started coming towards us and pushing us down the path.” Hummel described a violent scene where the settlers assaulted them with sticks, metal pipes, and rocks. He showed reporters bruises on his legs, arms, and jaw, highlighting the brutality of the attack.

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The confrontation came amid rising tensions in the West Bank following the outbreak of conflict in Gaza on October 7. These tensions were exacerbated by a recent International Court of Justice ruling deeming Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories since 1967 illegal. The volunteers, part of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), aim to provide a protective presence for Palestinians facing violence.

Two women were among the four activists treated at Rafidia Hospital in Nablus, with an AFP journalist confirming at least three receiving medical attention. According to Qusra's mayor, Hani Odeh, Israeli troops arrived at the scene and fired warning shots to disperse the settlers, who then fled. The Israeli army reported that masked Israeli civilians had assaulted foreign citizens planting trees in Qusra and condemned the violence.

The ISM volunteers had been in Qusra for approximately a month, helping local farmers clear land previously set ablaze by settlers. The confrontation involved about ten settlers from the nearby Esh Kodesh settlement, with Hummel noting that the group included six women.

Since October 7, at least 579 Palestinians have been killed in violence involving settlers or Israeli troops, while official Israeli figures report at least 16 Israeli fatalities in attacks involving Palestinians.

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