The Palestinian woman on the cover of L'Espresso speaks to MEE: "Israeli settlers were ready to kill us"
MEE spoke to Palestinian lawyer Meead Abu al-Rub about the widely circulated L’Espresso magazine cover that has brought her international attention after she was filmed being harassed by Israeli settlers during an olive harvest in October 2025.
The 35-year-old Palestinian, who works with the Wall and Settlement Authority, said she was documenting a peaceful land-related activity in the Soba area of Idna al-Khalil when the situation escalated, with settlers and Israeli forces moving in to intimidate participants and force the event to stop.
Abu Al-Rub armed settlers and soldiers confronted the group within minutes, describing threats, intimidation and the use of tear gas that led organisers and landowners to withdraw for safety reasons.
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