US envoy condemns settler assault on journalist in West Bank

US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has condemned a violent attack on Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine, calling it a "despicable act of terror" and demanding full investigation, arrest, and prosecution ^[1]. Levine, 63, was beaten for over 10 minutes by masked Israeli settlers during an olive harvest in Abu Falah, West Bank, sustaining broken ribs, hand injuries requiring surgery, and losing her camera, passport, and phone. She credited her flak jacket and helmet with saving her life.

The attack occurred as settlers targeted Palestinian farmers; Levine, an award-winning journalist with decades of conflict reporting experience, was identified as a journalist at the time ^[1]. Her colleagues intervened to stop the assault. Huckabee, known for his pro-Israel stance, described the attack as "vicious and cowardly," stressing she was clearly identifiable as a journalist.

Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, responded ambiguously, condemning "violence against anyone" but referring to the incident as "alleged" and stating circumstances remain unclear ^[1]. The European Union and France’s foreign minister have urged Israel to halt the violence and hold perpetrators accountable.

The violence escalated on Saturday with attacks on European diplomats, including French mayor Bernard Baudoux and archbishop Vincent Dollmann, who were assaulted near the Christian town of Taybeh while participating in the olive harvest with diplomats from Belgium, Poland, and France ^[1]. Baudoux reported being knocked down and shouted at with "Vive la France!" by a masked attacker. The claim that the attack was orchestrated by a specific group has not been confirmed.

The surge in settler violence coincides with the run-up to Israel’s 27 October elections, with activists accusing Netanyahu of enabling such actions to strengthen his rightwing base ^[1]. Yesh Din, an Israeli rights group, reports that 94% of settler violence investigations since 2005 have ended without indictment.

President Isaac Herzog expressed shock over the attack and called Levine in hospital, while former military chief Gadi Eisenkot branded the violence "Jewish terrorism, under the auspices of the Israeli government" ^[1]. Trump endorsed Netanyahu on Truth Social, calling him a "Great Warrior Prime Minister".

The Washington Post has reiterated calls for a transparent investigation, despite Israel’s poor record on prosecuting settlers ^[1]. The story was first reported by The Guardian and The Independent.