Khaberni - In a scene reflecting the extent of security chaos and targeting of international activists in the West Bank, Ukrainian photojournalist Roman Levin and Russian journalist activist Adel Shoko revealed details of a brutal attack on them by Israeli settlers in the area of Ras Ain Al-Auja near Jericho.
They confirmed that the attack was directly coordinated with the settlement's security and under the protection of the Israeli police.
Coordination with "Military Uniform"
Ukrainian journalist Roman Levin recounted the beginning of the assault that occurred last Tuesday, specifying that a car arrived at the "activists' compound" in the village of Ras Ain Al-Auja, which was driven by "Meir Nir," a security official and land inspector at the settlement wearing a military uniform, accompanied by the extreme right-wing blogger "Roy Star."
Russian journalist and activist Adel Shoko added that Star stormed the compound and tried verbally provoking the activists for the purpose of filming content for his extremist channel, and when he did not receive a response, he approached the settlement's security official.
Adel mentioned: "We believe he was asking for permission to attack us, which actually happened within minutes."
Pepper Spray Assault
The assault escalated quickly when Star used pepper spray copiously against the activists, and Levin described those moments saying: "He sprayed the pepper spray directly into my eyes, and I was in excruciating pain for two hours, unable to see or breathe well."
On her part, the Russian journalist confirmed that three of the activists fell to the ground from the spray, and the assailant didn't stop there but began threatening their families, claiming he had their contact information, and threatened to continue harassing them in a campaign he calls "harassing those who harass us."
Security Collusion and Systematic Escalation
Regarding the role of the Israeli authorities, the guests confirmed that the police and army arrived after the attacker had left, and merely asked the activists to file a complaint, although the assailant was known to the authorities and was accompanied by an official in the settlement.
Shoko described the police response as "ineffective", noting that the assailant later posted videos of the attack to collect donations for this assault.
The activists concluded their discussion by indicating that the situation in the West Bank is worsening, citing another attack that took place in the village of "Mikhmas" near Ramallah, where settlers burned houses and pets and assaulted activists and Palestinians, as part of a series of attacks aimed at intimidating international volunteers and forcing Palestinians to leave their lands.
