Israeli settlers beat three journalists near Hebron

Armed Israeli settlers attacked three journalists near Hebron in the occupied West Bank, two of whom hold Russian and Israeli citizenship. Journalist Andrei Krasnovsky suffered a concussion and was then taken not to a hospital but to a police station.

Armed Israeli settlers attacked journalists and activists in the Hebron area of the occupied West Bank. Among those affected were two journalists with Russian and Israeli citizenship, Adel Shoko and Andrei Krasnovsky, as well as American journalist and activist Jasper Nathaniel.

Concussion and threats with firearms

Shoko said the attackers beat her, threatened to open fire and took her glasses. Krasnovsky's mobile phone was stolen, while Nathaniel was sprayed in the face with pepper spray. Video shows armed men ordering the journalists to lie on the ground.

Shoko said Krasnovsky suffered a concussion and lost consciousness several times while he was being held. The settlers prevented the arriving ambulance from evacuating him. The injured journalist remained alone in the vehicle for a long time and was then taken not to a hospital but to a police station.

Attacks on journalists have increased

This was not the first attack on members of the press in the West Bank in October. Settlers had previously beaten and robbed an AFP photographer, while a Washington Post photojournalist was hospitalized after being attacked while harvesting olives. The Committee to Protect Journalists said that on October 26, Israeli troops detained two journalists in Hebron and searched the office of Al-Ghad television.

Pressure on Hebron and Palestinian farmers

Israel launched a large-scale operation in Hebron after an attack on a checkpoint on October 23 that killed two Israeli soldiers. According to the Palestinian Commission Against the Wall and Settlements, Israeli troops and settlers carried out seven attacks on Palestinian farmers harvesting olives within 12 hours, uprooting more than 50 olive and almond trees.

Israeli settlers beat three journalists near Hebron