US journalist films Jewish settler attacking Palestinian woman in occupied West Bank
The footage shows the attacker striking the woman, identified as Afaf Abu Alia (known locally as Umm Saleh), over the head with a heavy wooden stick, knocking her unconscious before hitting her again as she lay on the ground.
New Delhi,October 21, 2025 10:30 PM IST
First published on: Oct 21, 2025 at 10:11 PM IST
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The masked settler struck Umm Saleh Abu Alia with a stick (X/@infinite_jaz)
A 55-year-old Palestinian woman was hospitalised after being brutally attacked by a masked Jewish settler while harvesting olives in the occupied West Bank, in an incident that has sparked outrage and renewed scrutiny of rising settler violence in the region.
The assault took place on Sunday morning in the Palestinian village of Turmus Ayya and was captured on video by US journalist Jasper Nathaniel. The footage shows the attacker striking the woman, identified as Afaf Abu Alia (known locally as Umm Saleh), over the head with a heavy wooden stick, knocking her unconscious before hitting her again as she lay on the ground.
October 19, 2025. On the first day of the olive harvest in Turmus'ayyer, the Israeli Defense Force leads a group of farmers directly into a brutal ambush by armed settlers. These people need to be in prison by tomorrow, and the people of this village, and all across Palestine,… https://t.co/i4PbG9jn4jpic.twitter.com/i67CjLB2gg
Nathaniel said the woman was “hit so hard she went completely limp,” describing it as “the most vivid image ever seared in my mind.”
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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told the BBC the confrontation was “dispersed after its forces arrived” and that it “strongly condemns any form of violence” by settlers.
However, Nathaniel disputed this version, claiming “no Israeli forces showed up to the attack at any point.” He alleged that soldiers had earlier been on-site but “sped off just before the settlers launched the assault,” effectively leaving the Palestinians and activists defenseless.
Turmus Ayya, where the attack occurred, is home to many dual nationals — with at least 80 per cent of its residents holding US citizenship or residency, according to Israeli media. Nathaniel, who is also a US citizen, shared messages purportedly from a US embassy official who told him they were not in a position to protect him or other US citizens in the area.
The US State Department, as per BBC, declined to comment on the specific incident, citing “privacy and other considerations,” but reiterated that it has “no higher priority than the safety and security of US citizens abroad.”
Escalating settler violence
Local officials confirmed that Abu Alia suffered two blows to the head and was initially admitted to an intensive care unit. Doctors said her condition has since stabilised.
Her cousin, Hamdi Abu Alia, and Amin Abu Alia, mayor of the nearby village of al-Mughayyir, confirmed the details of the attack, saying that around 15 masked settlers were involved. They reportedly threw stones, torched at least one car, and attacked other Palestinians and foreign activists helping with the olive harvest.
The incident is part of a broader surge in settler violence that often peaks during the annual olive harvest season, a vital economic and cultural event for Palestinians.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), half of the 71 settler attacks documented across the West Bank between 7 and 13 October were linked to the harvest. Palestinians in 27 villages were affected, with at least 3,200 injured in settler assaults across the West Bank in 2025 alone.
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The masked settler struck Umm Saleh Abu Alia with a stick (X/@infinite_jaz) 
