Israel frees suspects in settler attacks

Reports indicate that nine out of ten suspects involved in attacks by extremist Israeli settlers against a American journalist and European diplomats in the West Bank have been released and placed under house arrest, following an order from a court in Jerusalem. Despite this, most attacks on Palestinians go unpunished. The olive harvest season has seen a wave of violence resulting in the deaths of at least 30 Palestinians and injuries to dozens. Tensions are rising amid international calls for Israel to take firm action against these acts of violence, especially as Israeli settlements expand on occupied lands that the United Nations considers illegal under international law.