US ambassador condemns 'despicable' Israeli settler attack that seriously injured US photographer

The US ambassador to Israel has condemned an attack by dozens of masked Israeli settlers on a village's harvest in the West Bank that left several people injured including an American photographer.

The black-clad settlers burned olive trees and threw rocks in a coordinated assault on Friday as Palestinians from Abu Falah gathered to pick fruit in an annual tradition.

Around 80 Israelis, including a number who were carrying gas canisters, descended from a hill above the olive grove and some used slings to launch rocks towards villagers, who threw stones to defend themselves.

Heidi Levine, an award-winning photojournalist with the Washington Post, was seriously injured in the attack.

She said she was forced to the ground and beaten for more than 10 minutes by the settlers, who also stole her camera, passport and phone.

Speaking from a hospital bed, Ms Levine, who is in stable condition, ‌said: "I was attacked, pushed to the ground. Luckily I had my flak jacket and helmet, otherwise I probably wouldn't even be here, because they just kept kicking me and kicking me."

Video of the attack showed the photographer lying on her side on a dirt path with her hands over her face as at least three settlers surrounded her.

Ambassador Mike Huckabee condemned the violence as "a despicable act of terror carried out by masked cowards".

In a post on X, he called for "a full investigation, arrest, and prosecution to the fullest extent of the law to whoever participated in this".

Mr Huckabee said the assault on Ms Levine was "vicious" and "dishonourable", and noted she was clearly identified as a journalist when she was attacked.

The Washington Post has also called for a full and transparent investigation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was ambiguous in addressing Ms Levine's assault, condemning "violence against anyone" but referring to the attack as "alleged" and saying its circumstances remain unclear.

At least four people have been killed and over 100 injured since the harvest began earlier this month, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

Meanwhile, US secretary of state Marco Rubio says his country wants Israel to do more to deter attacks committed by settlers ‌in the West Bank.

"We're very disturbed by those images and what we're seeing," Mr ​Rubio said. "We've asked the Israelis ‌and continue to ask them to crack down on that ​stuff."

Israeli police are also investigating an attack by Israeli settlers on European diplomats on Saturday in another West Bank village.

The settlers attacked the diplomats, Palestinian civilians and a French mayor in the Christian village of Taybeh, sparking international condemnation.

Belgium's foreign minister Maxime Prevot said the country's consul general to the Palestinians, French and Polish diplomats, and Catholic representatives were targeted by the masked settlers along with a Belgian vehicle.

Bernard Baudoux, mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries in northern France, said he was "thrown to the ground" near the village while harvesting olives in solidarity with the local community.

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Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar confirmed a police investigation has been opened and called the attackers "rioters" on X.

He said it was "unfortunate that the visit was not coordinated with the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) in advance".

Palestinian ‌vice president Hussein al-Sheikh said its citizens were subjected to "daily terrorism" and called for a "firm international stance".

Israeli officials, including Mr Netanyahu, have previously claimed that settler violence is carried out by a ‌small minority - which is disputed by Palestinians and human rights groups.

The attacks have risen sharply in recent years and also affected journalists, activists and foreign observers.

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