Unprovoked Attack on Palestinian Woman Sparks Outrage and Concern

Wed Oct 22 2025 02:38:54 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A 55-year-old Palestinian woman, Umm Saleh Abu Alia, was assaulted by an Israeli settler while picking olives in the occupied West Bank, raising alarms about ongoing violence during the harvest season.

Umm Saleh Abu Alia, a 55-year-old Palestinian woman, was hospitalized after being violently attacked by a masked Israeli settler in Turmus Ayya, an event that has reignited discussion on the rising violence faced by Palestinians during olive harvest season. The assault, which left her unconscious, was captured on video and has led to varying accounts about the presence and actions of Israeli military forces at the scene. The backdrop includes a surge in settler violence, particularly during harvest time, indicating deeper tensions in the region.

A 55-year-old Palestinian woman has been taken to hospital after being clubbed over the head by a masked Jewish settler as she was picking olives.

The unprovoked attack, which took place on Sunday morning in the Palestinian village of Turmus Ayya in the occupied West Bank, was captured on video by US journalist Jasper Nathaniel.

Mr. Nathaniel reported that the settler knocked the woman unconscious with the first strike of his stick, and continued to strike her when she was on the ground. She has been identified locally as Umm Saleh Abu Alia.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responded by stating that the confrontation was dispersed after their arrival and that they strongly condemn any form of violence by settlers. However, Nathaniel claims that the Israeli soldiers were present before the attack and left the site shortly before the assault occurred, raising concerns of a coordinated ambush.

According to reports, at least 80% of residents in Turmus Ayya are US citizens or residents, prompting outreach to the US State Department for comment.

The attacker used a large wooden stick reminiscent of a club, striking Abu Alia twice as she lay bleeding. She was taken initially to intensive care but is now reported to be in stable condition.

The incident coincided with a larger pattern of violence, as masked settlers were also documented throwing stones and attacking other Palestinians and supportive activists during the olive harvest—a culturally significant and vital economic activity for many Palestinians, now faced with increased dangers.

The UN's humanitarian office reported that of the 71 documented settler attacks in the West Bank between 7 and 13 October, about half were related to the olive harvest. Ongoing tensions have resulted in over 3,200 injuries among Palestinians from settler attacks in 2025 alone.

These incidents are perceived as attempts to intimidate Palestinians in hopes of driving them from their land to facilitate settler encroachment, with a remarkably low rate of investigation and conviction for such acts of violence—just 3% from 2005 to 2023, according to the civil rights group Yesh Din.