Armed Israeli Settlers Beat AFP Photographer with Rifle Butts as Soldiers Watch

Armed Israeli settlers attacked and beat a veteran AFP photojournalist with rifle butts on the occupied West Bank, while Israeli soldiers standing nearby made no attempt to stop the assault, according to reports from AFP, eyewitnesses and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.

The attack near Akraba

Jafar Ashtiye, 58, and his AFP colleague John Wessels had traveled to the area near the Palestinian village of Akraba, north of the West Bank, to document the annual olive harvest — which frequently takes place under tension due to settler activity. A group of armed settlers confronted the journalists and struck Ashtiye with rifle butts. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society confirmed he received medical attention following the assault.

Soldiers watched without intervening

Eyewitness accounts and AFP's own reporting indicate that approximately ten Israeli soldiers were present at the scene during the attack. None of them intervened to stop the settlers or protect the journalists.

Attacks on journalists covering the West Bank olive harvest and settler activities have increased in frequency. The Israeli military has not yet publicly commented on the incident. The attack drew condemnation from press freedom organisations, which called for accountability for both the settlers who carried out the assault and the soldiers who failed to prevent it.