Beita, West Bank — A violent incident involving Israeli settlers unfolded in the Palestinian town of Beita on November 8, injuring 15 people, including five journalists. According to witnesses, a group of masked settlers descended on a gathering of Palestinian farmers, activists, and international volunteers who had come to assist in the olive harvest.
The confrontation occurred in the mountainous region where residents sought to protect local farmers from potential aggressors. Louy Alsaeed, a photojournalist, described a coordinated assault that involved far-right settlers armed with clubs and stones. As they advanced, confusion and fear gripped those present.
“I felt as if I was genuinely close to death,” Alsaeed said. He recalled trying to escape while also keeping an eye on his fleeing colleagues. Throughout the attack, many suffered injuries during chaotic attempts to retreat from the rocky terrain. Several journalists fell while escaping, and some had their gear damaged.
Mohamad Alatrash, a correspondent who also witnessed the event, sustained serious bruises while escaping. He characterized the situation as extremely violent and noted the palpable hatred evident in the settlers’ actions. “We could see their intent to inflict harm,” he said. The need to survive overtook the group as they fled toward a steep, rugged area.
Raneen Sawafta, a photographer, faced severe injuries after being isolated from the group. She suffered multiple fractures to her knee joint due to the attackers’ aggression. Alatrash, who had to leap into a ravine to escape, felt helpless as he listened to Sawafta cry for assistance.
The backdrop of this violence is the increasingly difficult environment for Palestinian farmers in the region. Many face challenges accessing their land due to ongoing threats from settlers and Israeli occupation forces. While international activists previously provided some level of protection, that support appears to be dwindling. Reports indicate that settlers have been stealing olives, hampering the livelihoods of farmers who count on their harvests.
Beita’s farmers rely on the olive harvest for economic survival, with olives being fundamental to Palestinian culture and identity. However, in recent years, settlers in nearby Evyatar, a settlement established in 2021 on expropriated Palestinian land, have sought to assert control over the area. Occupiers have erected tents on local farmland, impeding access and causing further displacement of Palestinian residents.
Historically, Beita has witnessed significant resistance against both the occupation and the Evyatar settlement. Protests attempting to reclaim land have been met with violent responses from Israeli occupation forces. Notably, since 2020, numerous demonstrators have lost their lives during these confrontations, including Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, an American activist.
The Evyatar settlement, propagated by an ultra-nationalist movement, has grown amid support from Israeli authorities. Residents and activists argue that such settlements operate with little to no effective oversight. Alsaeed expressed concern about the deteriorating situation, claiming the violence is increasingly unchecked.
In a chilling reminder of the ongoing conflict, a 13-year-old boy, Aysam Mualla, recently succumbed to injuries suffered during clashes involving soldiers, highlighting the tragic toll on the community, especially children. Journalists working in the region continue to face considerable risks as they report on these incidents, with many expressing ongoing fears about their safety during confrontations.
As violence persists, members of the community and their allies remain committed to raising awareness about the situation in Beita. Alsaeed and Alatrash reiterated their dedication to voicing the struggles faced by Palestinian communities, emphasizing the need for international action to address ongoing injustices.