Israel Police, Shin Bet Investigate Settler Violence Against US Journalist, European Diplomats
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS Arabic by baba
Israeli police and the Shin Bet are investigating settler violence in the West Bank, including an assault on American photojournalist Heidi Levine and attacks on European diplomats. The investigations aim to identify and prosecute those responsible. The US has expressed deep concern and urged Israel to act decisively, while the Israeli Prime Minister's office called for caution before reaching conclusions.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israeli police and Shin Bet are investigating settler violence against US journalist Heidi Levine and European diplomats in the West Bank.
- Heidi Levine, a Washington Post photojournalist, was reportedly beaten and kicked around 50 times while covering olive harvesting.
- Masked Israelis allegedly attacked participants in olive harvesting, damaging a Belgian diplomat's vehicle and intercepting a Polish convoy.
- The US has urged Israel to act decisively against settler violence, expressing deep concern over recent incidents.
- The Israeli Prime Minister's office called for caution and strong evidence before drawing conclusions about the attacks.
Israeli police and the Shin Bet security agency are intensifying their investigation into recent settler violence in the West Bank, including an assault on American photojournalist Heidi Levine and attacks on European diplomats near the Palestinian village of Al-Taybeh. The investigations aim to identify, arrest, and prosecute those involved.
Levine, who works for The Washington Post, was reportedly beaten and kicked approximately 50 times while covering olive harvesting near Ramallah on Friday. She was hospitalized for her injuries. In a separate incident, masked Israelis allegedly attacked participants in olive harvesting activities near Al-Taybeh, damaging a Belgian diplomat's vehicle and intercepting a Polish diplomatic convoy.
Israeli police are coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to gather statements from the involved countries, but have not yet received a response regarding cooperation. Investigators are seeking detailed testimonies, photographic evidence, and forensic analysis to identify suspects.
The investigations come amid growing US criticism of settler violence in the West Bank. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington is deeply concerned and has urged Israel to act decisively against such acts, emphasizing that lifting sanctions does not imply endorsement of the violence. Rubio described the attack on Levine as disturbing and expressed President Donald Trump's desire to avoid escalating tensions in the region.
Conversely, the office of the Israeli Prime Minister urged caution before drawing conclusions about the attacks on European diplomats, stating that while all violence against diplomats is unacceptable, serious accusations require strong evidence.
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