Israeli police detain 10 people in rare raid against West Bank settlers
Move comes after US photojournalist and group of European diplomats and Palestinians were assaulted in separate attacks
TL;DR
- Israeli police detained 10 people in a rare raid against settlers following weekend violence.
- US photojournalist Heidi Levine described an attack by Israeli settlers as an "attempted lynching," sustaining severe injuries.
- European diplomats and Palestinians harvesting olives were also assaulted by Israeli militants.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initially questioned the accounts of violence, which drew international criticism.
- The arrests and detention extensions of six men signal a response to attacks on foreigners.
- Human rights groups highlight a stark contrast between the response to attacks on foreigners and the lack of action regarding settler violence against Palestinians.
- Yesh Din documented 561 incidents of settler and soldier violence against Palestinians in three weeks, with 94% of investigations closed without indictments.
- Netanyahu's statements are seen as an attempt to appeal to far-right voters ahead of an election.
- Reports suggest political pressure is hindering the army from confronting "Jewish terrorism" in the West Bank.