US Officials Condemn Settler Attack on Journalist in West Bank
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he was ‘very disturbed’ by images of the attack on Heidi Levine, an American photojournalist, by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, and said the United States has asked Israel to ‘crack down on that stuff.’ The incident, which occurred during the annual olive harvest, left Levine injured and saw settlers steal her equipment and passport, according to witnesses. The US State Department has initiated an inquiry into the attack, which took place amid a surge in settler violence, including at least 170 attacks on Palestinians since September, as reported by the Israeli monitoring group Yesh Din.
US Ambassador Demands Prosecution of Perpetrators
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, a staunch ally of Israel, demanded that Israeli authorities prosecute those responsible for the attack, calling it an “act of terror” and insisting that attackers “should spend years in prison.” Huckabee’s remarks contrasted with a more cautious statement from the US State Department, which condemned “criminal violence by any party” without explicitly attributing the attack to settlers. Netanyahu, who wants to shore up his pro‑settlement right‑wing base ahead of close‑fought October 27 elections, on Friday insisted that Palestinians or “far‑left” activists may have been responsible.
Today, another American citizen & journalist was brutalized by Israeli settlers attacking Palestinians in the West Bank.This repeated violence & brazen impunity for attacks against Americans & Palestinians alike are unacceptable.When will Trump & Rubio DO SOMETHING?…
Israeli Settler Violence Escalates During Olive Harvest
The Journal reported that Israeli settlers have increasingly targeted Palestinian farmers, with one incident in July 2025 resulting in the deaths of two Palestinian men. A 2024 Israeli military fence, constructed on Palestinian land, has further restricted access to farmland, exacerbating tensions. Local leaders described the barrier as a “gigantic prison,” cutting off communities from their livelihoods.
Religious Ruling Justifies Settler Violence, Sparks Outcry
A controversial ruling by hardline Israeli Rabbi Dov Lior claimed that Jewish settlers are permitted to ‘steal’ olives from Palestinian farms to assert ownership of the land. The ruling, which framed such acts as an ‘additional virtue,’ has drawn condemnation from Israeli critics. The ruling coincides with a wave of settler attacks, including the killing of two Palestinians in Sinjil in July 2025.
Political Tensions Rise Ahead of Israeli Elections
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks to solidify support from his right-wing base ahead of the October 27 elections, as he deals with settler violence. His office has downplayed settler involvement in the Levine attack.
What Happens Next?
The US State Department is awaiting updates from its Jerusalem embassy on the Levine case. Palestinian farmers in Sinjil report ongoing harassment, with some families installing window bars and adopting nighttime shifts to guard against attacks.
Israeli settlers attacked American journalist and Washington Post contributor Heidi Levine on Friday, wounding her while she was covering the olive harvest in Abu Fallah, near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.https://t.co/lmmD4mzsLN pic.twitter.com/5qGcIK7640
Quotation
“IT’S BECOME A gigantic prison,” said Moataz Tawafsha, mayor of Sinjil.
More on State Department
Horrified by what happened to our dear friend Heidi Levine while she was on assignment today. “They just kept kicking me and kicking me,” she said. https://t.co/ZNMTWwJB9o
Worth a look