US denounces settler assault that injured American journalist in West Bank
The US condemned an attack by Israeli settlers on American journalist Heidi Levine in the West Bank, with Ambassador Mike Huckabee calling it a “despicable act of terror”. The assault has drawn criticism of settler violence and renewed scrutiny of Israel’s response.
Levine, a 63-year-old Washington Post photographer, said she was beaten for more than ten minutes in Abu Falah on Friday while with Palestinians. She suffered broken ribs and other injuries, had hand surgery and remained in hospital in Tel Aviv; the attackers took her camera, passport and phone. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned violence but described the incident as “alleged”. The EU also criticised a separate attack on visiting diplomats and a French mayor during the olive harvest.
- The US condemned the beating of journalist Heidi Levine.
- Levine suffered broken ribs and needed hand surgery.
- The EU reported a separate assault on diplomats and a French mayor.
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The West Bank is a territory captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war, and Palestinians seek it as part of a future independent state. Israel has built settlements there, which most countries consider illegal under international law; Israel disputes that view. Settler violence against Palestinians has been a recurring source of tension.
Heidi Levine is an American photographer who has reported from the region for decades. The US, led in its dealings with Israel by its ambassador and the president, is a close ally of Israel, while the Palestinian Authority governs parts of the West Bank. How Israeli authorities respond to attacks and protect people in the territory is closely watched by Palestinians, Israel’s allies and the international community.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Those condemning the assault argue that a prolonged beating causing serious injuries, alongside the theft of a journalist’s equipment and documents, demands an unequivocal response and effective accountability. They see settler violence as a threat to journalists and Palestinians, and say Israel’s leaders should address it clearly rather than cast doubt on an incident that has drawn international concern.
The case against
Those urging caution about assigning responsibility argue that the reported account and the attackers’ identities should be established through investigation before conclusions are drawn or broader claims made about Israel’s response. They can condemn violence while noting that Netanyahu also did so, and maintain that accountability should rest on verified evidence and individual responsibility rather than assumptions about a wider group.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “US condemns Israeli settlers for ‘cowardly’ attack on journalist”.