Israeli police arrested US journalist Jasper Nathaniel and Russian-Israeli activist Andrey Khrzhanovskiy on October 28, 2026, after they were beaten and pepper-sprayed by armed Israeli settlers in the West Bank village of Umm al-Khair. Despite Khrzhanovskiy losing consciousness from head injuries, police held both men without medical care or detailed legal grounds. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the detentions amid escalating settler violence.
Settler attack in Umm al-khair
- ▪Israeli settlers attacked US journalist Jasper Nathaniel, Russian-Israeli activist Andrey Khrzhanovskiy, and journalist Adele Shoko
- ▪Andrey Khrzhanovskiy suffered a concussion and lost consciousness multiple times during the settler attack in Umm al-Khair.
- ▪Armed Israeli settlers stole equipment, personal items, glasses, and a phone from activists and journalists during the assault in Umm al-Khair on October 28, 2026.
Detention of journalists and activists
- ▪Journalist Adele Shoko reported that Israeli police denied Andrey Khrzhanovskiy hospital treatment and transported him directly to a police station after settlers blocked an ambulance.
- ▪Israeli police arrested Jasper Nathaniel and Andrey Khrzhanovskiy
- ▪US journalist Jasper Nathaniel and activist Andrey Khrzhanovskiy were filming a military gate closed to Palestinian traffic near Umm al-Khair prior to being detained.
- ▪Attorney Alon Sapir stated Israeli authorities held Jasper Nathaniel and Andrey Khrzhanovskiy at Kiryat Arba police station in Hebron without disclosing legal grounds.
CPJ condemns detention of journalists
- ▪Committee to Protect Journalists regional director Sara Qudah stated that detaining victimized journalists sends a dangerous message to those documenting settler violence in the West Bank.
- ▪The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned Israel's detention of Jasper Nathaniel and Andrey Khrzhanovskiy after they were assaulted by settlers in the West Bank.
Attack in Abu Falah
- ▪Israeli soldiers arriving during the October 16, 2026 Abu Falah attack fired live ammunition and tear gas, shooting a Palestinian man in the leg.
- ▪Masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers and Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine
Israeli arrests of Palestinians
- ▪Israeli forces arrested 110 Palestinians across the West Bank between October 23, 2026, and October 28, 2026, according to the Palestinian Prisoner Society.
- ▪Israeli security forces arrested at least 13 Palestinians on October 29, 2026, including three brothers and paramedic Bashar al-Qaryouti, during West Bank raids.
Story comments
Loading comments…