US Condemns Attack on Journalist by Israeli Settlers

The United States has condemned an attack on American journalist Heidi Levine by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, labeling the incident a "despicable act of terror." U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee criticized the "masked cowards" who allegedly assaulted the 63-year-old Washington Post photographer on Friday.

Levine, an award-winning photojournalist, reported that she was severely injured, forced to the ground, and beaten for over ten minutes by settlers who also stole her camera, passport, and phone. She was reportedly wearing body armor at the time of the attack. Levine sustained broken ribs, hand injuries requiring surgery, and other injuries, and remained hospitalized in Tel Aviv as of Sunday.

Levine was accompanying a group of Palestinians in the village of Abu Falah when the attack occurred. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated he was "disturbed" by the events. The Washington Post's owner, Jeff Bezos, is reportedly aware of the incident and seeking justice for Levine.

In a separate incident on Saturday, a European diplomat, identified as Bernard Baudoux, the mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries in northern France, stated he was attacked with iron bars by settlers while visiting a Palestinian Christian village with a convoy of French, Belgian, and Polish representatives. Baudoux described the settlers as arriving "completely enraged."

European diplomats condemned the alleged settler attacks on the convoy, which was observing the annual olive harvest and documenting conditions for Palestinians. A spokesperson for the EU urged Israel to adhere to international humanitarian and human rights law and called for "full accountability" and "effective measures to prevent continued acts of violence." The window of a car belonging to the Belgian consulate was reportedly smashed during the incident, and video footage appears to show settlers pursuing vehicles on quad bikes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the incidents, condemning "violence against anyone" but referring to the attack on Levine as "alleged." He stated that Israeli police would conduct a full investigation, though his office suggested that available footage did not establish a complete sequence of events or individual responsibility. Netanyahu also commented that the convoy had entered a "sensitive area" without fully informing the Israeli army, and characterized the allegations as part of a "smear campaign."

According to Yesh Din, an Israeli settlement-monitoring group, there has been a significant increase in settler attacks against Palestinians, with 170 incidents recorded since the start of the olive harvest season on September 27.