'Israel' allegedly investigates assault of US photojournalist
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The 'Israeli' Prime Minister's Office issued a statement on the settlers attack near Abu Falah involving Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine, alleging that the facts surrounding the incident remain unclear and are currently under investigation.
In the statement, the 'Israeli' Prime Minister's Office claimed that 'Israel' "unequivocally condemns" violence against all individuals -including Jews, Arabs, Christians, or journalists- and alleged that those found responsible for any wrongdoing will be held accountable.
The statement comes amid heightened scrutiny following reports that Levine was assaulted during the clashes in the West Bank.
'Demonizing' settlers
The 'Israeli' Prime Minister's Office raised questions regarding the sequence of events, claiming that approximately 200 Arabs and far-left activists allegedly confronted roughly 40 'Israeli' settlers.
The statement claimed that the video footage shows masked individuals on both sides hurling objects, alongside reports of fireworks being fired at 'Israeli' settlers.
The statement also noted that separate footage appears to show Levine being knocked down and immediately assisted back to her feet by the same unidentified person.
The statement also alleged that the ongoing investigation must determine who initiated the violence, the 'Israeli' Prime Minister's Office warned against using the event for political commentary.
"We will not allow disputed incidents to be exploited to demonize the hundreds of thousands of law-abiding Jewish residents of the West Bank," the statement read, concluding that "the facts must determine the conclusions. Not the headlines."
