Israel frees suspects in two settler attacks as West Bank pogroms intensify

What Happened

An Israeli court in Jerusalem ordered the release of nine of 10 Israeli settler suspects arrested over attacks on a US journalist and European diplomats in the occupied West Bank, placing them under house arrest, according to Honenu, a law firm representing Israeli settlers. Israeli police said one suspect remained in custody and that the investigation into the violent incidents was continuing. Masked settlers were filmed last week assaulting Heidi Levine, a Washington Post photojournalist covering a Palestinian olive harvest; Levine was hospitalized and underwent surgery on a finger. In a separate attack earlier this week, masked settlers assaulted French, Belgian and Polish diplomats and a French mayor in another part of the West Bank. Separately, the Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission said it documented 17 West Bank attacks by Israeli forces and settlers against Palestinian farmers and their land during the olive harvest. It recorded 409 attacks in October — 317 by settlers and 92 by Israeli forces — with Nablus recording 166 and Salfit 91. The commission reported that Ali Hassan Bazzari from Burqa died of wounds from settler gunfire while picking olives on October 7. Wafa reported settlers set fire to olive trees near Imatin, east of Qalqilya, and Israeli forces forced farmers to leave and detained a farmer and several workers; near Yabad, west of Jenin, settlers stole 17 bags of harvested olives and equipment, local sources said.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The release of most suspects to house arrest after attacks on diplomats and a US journalist weakens the appearance of accountability and could strain relations with the US, France, Belgium and Poland, which had urged Israel to act. It also illustrates a broader surge in settler violence during the olive harvest, which the Palestinian commission quantified as 409 attacks in October alone, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the occupied Palestinian territory as 'out of control'.

Watch For

Monitor whether the one suspect still in custody faces charges and whether the released suspects comply with house arrest or are ultimately excused. Watch for further diplomatic responses from the United States, France, Belgium and Poland, and for any Israeli measures to restrain settler attacks during the remaining olive harvest. The Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission may issue further monthly or harvest-specific documentation, and additional incidents around Nablus, Salfit, Qalqilya and Jenin are likely to be reported by Wafa and local sources.