US Urges Israel to Curb Settler Violence After Journalist Attack

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on Israeli authorities to take strong action against violence by Jewish settlers in Judea and Samaria. The statement followed an attack on American photojournalist Heidi Levine, who works with The Washington Post, on October 16. Levine was severely beaten near the Palestinian village of Abu Falah, northeast of Ramallah, while covering the olive harvest.

"We are very concerned about these images and what we are seeing. We have asked the Israelis, and continue to ask them, to strongly curb such actions," Rubio told reporters on Saturday, October 17. The State Department has requested further information on the attack and expects prompt answers from the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. Washington is demanding more decisive action from Israel to prevent such incidents and hold perpetrators accountable.

Eyewitnesses reported that dozens of Israelis, many masked, attacked Arab farmers and journalists during the olive harvest. The assailants allegedly threw stones, beat people, and set fire to olive trees and cars. Levine, a veteran conflict photographer, was knocked to the ground and kicked repeatedly, sustaining approximately 50 blows. She stated that without her protective vest and helmet, she might not have survived. Her cameras and bag were stolen.

Levine was taken to a hospital in Ramallah. Her daughter, Ashley Milner, reported that Levine suffered fractures to four vertebrae and one rib, along with other injuries, and had a finger nearly severed. She underwent surgery. Milner stated that around 15 masked individuals attacked her mother, some wearing "tzitzit" (ritual fringes), using clubs and boards with nails. Another American reporter, Jasper, helped extract Levine from the area.

Levine's assault was condemned by The Washington Post, the U.S. Embassy in Israel, and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the violence and pledged that those responsible would be held accountable, though he noted that the circumstances were not yet fully established. His office stated that approximately 200 Arabs and left-wing activists clashed with 40 young Israelis, and Netanyahu called for awaiting investigation results regarding the instigators.

The Mateh Binyamin Regional Council presented a different account, accusing the Palestinian Authority of orchestrating a provocation by bringing hundreds of activists to the area under the guise of the olive harvest. Israeli police have launched an investigation. The incident occurred amid a significant rise in attacks on Palestinians during the olive harvest season. The Israeli human rights group Yesh Din reported at least 170 attacks on Palestinians in Judea and Samaria since September 27, with Jewish settlers suspected of involvement.

On October 17, masked Israelis also attacked European diplomats near the village of Taybeh, who were observing the olive harvest. The diplomats, from France, Belgium, and Poland, had their car damaged. The Belgian Foreign Minister condemned the attack, demanding security for diplomats and accountability. The IDF stated it strongly condemns the attack on diplomatic missions and is investigating, noting the delegation's visit was not pre-coordinated with the army.