Stories
US Envoy Slams West Bank Settler Attack on Journalist as Act of Terror
- •US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee strongly condemned the settler attack on American photojournalist Heidi Levine, calling it a despicable act of terror.
- •Levine, a 63-year-old Washington Post photojournalist, suffered broken ribs, hand surgery, and other injuries after being beaten by masked settlers in the West Bank.
- •The attackers also stole Levine's camera, passport, and phone while she was covering olive harvesting by Palestinians.
- •Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced criticism for referring to the violent assault as alleged, while Levine expressed shock at his response.
- •Subsequent violence by settlers targeted European diplomats, a French mayor, and an archbishop visiting the occupied West Bank, drawing further global condemnation.
Key Questions Answered
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee strongly denounced the assault on American photojournalist Heidi Levine, describing it as a "despicable act of terror" and a "vicious and cowardly attack". He called for a full investigation, arrests, and maximum prosecution under the law for those involved.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the situation with ambiguity, condemning "violence against anyone" while referring to the assault on Levine and others as "alleged" and claiming that the circumstances remained unclear. Levine expressed shock and insult at his remarks, noting that he had all the evidence available.
Heidi Levine suffered serious injuries, including broken ribs and hand surgery, after being beaten for over ten minutes by masked settlers using clubs and other weapons while she covered Palestinian olive harvesters. She noted that wearing her helmet and flak jacket, along with intervention from Palestinian colleagues, ultimately saved her life.
