US ambassador denounces settler attack on American photojournalist in West Bank

The United States ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has denounced an attack by Israeli settlers that left Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine severely injured, according to The Guardian. The Guardian reported that Huckabee called the assault a despicable act of terror and requested the arrest and prosecution of those responsible. Levine, aged 63, was set upon while covering Palestinians attempting to harvest olives in the occupied West Bank. [1][9][13]

Levine required surgery in an Israeli hospital following the incident, The Guardian reported. As FTMQ News reported earlier, about 80 settlers threw stones, set fire to olive trees, and beat Levine on Friday during attacks that injured at least 20 people across eight Palestinian villages. [1][13]

The attack comes alongside a surge in violence against foreign officials and diplomats in the territory. CBS News, Al Jazeera, and rte.ie reported that European diplomats were assaulted by Israeli settlers near the village of Taybeh. CBS News said Israeli police have launched an investigation into online footage showing the assault on the diplomats, while the office of the Israeli prime minister urged caution before drawing conclusions. [3][4][5][7][8]

In separate incidents, Middle East Eye reported that a French mayor was also attacked by settlers in the West Bank, prompting France to demand arrests. Al Jazeera reported that the European Union condemned the acts of violence against diplomats, journalists, and Palestinians, demanding full accountability and effective measures from Israel. [2][4][6]

The West Bank is a landlocked territory under Israeli military occupation since 1967. Reuters reported that United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States wants Israel to crack down on settler violence in the region. [10][11]