Settlers assault activists protecting Palestinian farmers in West Bank
Israeli settlers attacked Jewish and Arab activists who were accompanying Palestinian farmers in Janta, south of Bethlehem, injuring several people.
In Janta, a village south of Bethlehem, settlers launched an attack on a group of Jewish and Arab activists who were accompanying Palestinian farmers for the annual olive harvest. The activists, affiliated with Standing Together, Rabbis for Human Rights and Bnei Abraham, reported being hit with clubs, pepper spray and stones, resulting in several injuries. The incident adds to a series of settler confrontations that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has characterized as the actions of a small number of "juvenile delinquents" and labeled the media focus a "tremendous hoax."
Standing Together, a Jewish-Arab political movement that recently formed a party, condemned the violence and pledged continued support for Palestinian communities. The group accused the Israeli government and military of enabling and funding the settler attacks. The event underscores ongoing tensions over land access and the role of activist protective presence in the occupied West Bank.
Why it matters
The attack highlights escalating settler violence and the contested role of activist protection in the West Bank.
How this story developed
- Sep 1 Israeli prime minister's wife faces libel claim over Oct. 7 accusations
- Sep 22 Mayor Zohran Mamdani reiterated his view that Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal, noting the ICC’s arrest warrant but acknowledging he cannot detain the Israeli leader.
- Sep 23 Israel's Central Elections Committee barred the Joint List from the upcoming Knesset election, prompting the alliance to label the move racist and vow a Supreme Court appeal.
- Sep 24 The electoral commission has acted on two Arab party lists.
- Sep 24 Netanyahu announced he will use his UN appearance to directly attack New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
- Sep 24 Netanyahu delivered the UN address and a large walkout occurred.
- Sep 24 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a combative UN speech, attacking Iran, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and allies Britain, France and Turkey, prompting walkouts and protests.
- Sep 25 A mass walkout by UN delegates and arrests of protesters occurred after the speech.
- Sep 26 The film’s worldwide theatrical rollout began late September and a free online streaming launch was announced for November.
- Sep 26 Mamdani accused Netanyahu of lying and cited the ICC arrest warrant during his UN response.
- Sep 27 Netanyahu publicly urged right‑wing parties to merge ahead of the election.
- Sep 28 A six‑storey apartment block collapsed, killing 21 people and prompting a lengthy rescue effort.
- Sep 28 Netanyahu held a private hour‑long meeting with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi and asked him to publicly reject the allegation that the UAE had warned Israel of the Oct 7 attack.
- Sep 28 UAE's state news agency confirmed that Netanyahu arrived in Abu Dhabi for a high‑level meeting with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.
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