The United States ambassador to Israel has branded a violent assault on an American photojournalist as an “act of terror” after masked Israeli settlers beat the Washington Post correspondent during clashes with Palestinian farmers in the occupied West Bank. Mike Huckabee’s sharp condemnation came as Heidi Levine remains hospitalised with serious injuries, including broken ribs and hand surgery, following the attack that also saw her equipment and documents stolen.
The incident underscores escalating tensions in the territory ahead of crucial elections, as settler violence increasingly targets both Palestinians and international observers documenting their struggles.
Diplomatic Outrage Spreads After Settler Assault
Mike Huckabee’s response reflected widespread international dismay at the assault on Levine, a veteran journalist who sustained multiple injuries during the Friday attack. Speaking from her hospital bed in Petah Tikva, Levine recounted being beaten for over ten minutes by assailants who also confiscated her camera, passport and mobile phone.
“I was attacked, pushed to the ground,” Levine described. “Luckily, I had my flak jacket and helmet, otherwise I probably wouldn’t even be here, because they just kept kicking and kicking me.” The attack concluded only when her Palestinian colleagues intervened to protect her.
Huckabee, whose relationship with former President Donald Trump positioned him as a prominent voice in Middle Eastern diplomacy, emphasised the targeted nature of the assault. “Attacking a female photographer is despicable act of terror carried out by masked cowards,” he wrote on X, noting that Levine was clearly identifiable as press personnel. “We have called for a full investigation, arrest, and prosecution to the fullest extent of the law to whoever participated in this.”
The ambassador’s firm stance contrasted sharply with more measured responses from Israeli officials, highlighting growing concerns about accountability for settler violence.
Political Leaders Offer Divergent Responses
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reaction demonstrated the complexity of addressing such incidents within his coalition government. While condemning “violence against anyone,” he characterised the assault as “alleged” and suggested that circumstances remained unclear, drawing criticism for perceived equivocation.
President Isaac Herzog took a more direct approach, personally calling Levine in hospital to express his outrage. “The attack was outrageous and shocking,” Herzog stated, adding that the incident weighed heavily on his conscience. His intervention highlighted the symbolic importance of protecting journalists in conflict zones.
Netanyahu’s electoral opponent, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, directly challenged the premier’s handling of settler aggression. “It’s burning away the little legitimacy the state of Israel still possesses,” Eisenkot declared, labeling the attacks as “Jewish terrorism, under the auspices of the Israeli government.”
The political divide became starker when considering Trump’s enthusiastic endorsement of Netanyahu just days earlier. The former president praised his ally as “a Great Warrior Prime Minister” in a Truth Social post, seemingly overlooking concerns about rising domestic violence amid campaign rhetoric.
Broader Pattern of Settler Violence Escalates
The assault on Levine followed another incident targeting European diplomats during a visit to the West Bank. Bernard Baudoux, mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries, was physically attacked while attempting to enter a vehicle marked with diplomatic plates, allegedly by settlers celebrating their actions with shouts of “Vive la France!”
Baudoux, along with the archbishop of Cambrai and his spouse, faced threats from a group of seven men, several armed with clubs. The confrontation occurred during a joint mission involving French, Belgian and Polish consular representatives visiting the Christian town of Taybeh.
“The whole world needs to know what’s happening,” Baudoux told Agence France-Presse after recovering from his injuries. “For me, I’ll go back to my country and everything will be fine. Those who continue to suffer the most are those who are here.”
Such attacks often coincide with the Palestinian olive harvest, a tradition spanning generations that settlers frequently disrupt as tensions mount ahead of national elections scheduled for late October.
International Community Demands Accountability
France’s foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot joined growing multilateral pressure on Israel to address settler violence systematically. “Israel must urgently halt criminal violence and arrest those responsible for attacking diplomats,” Barrot asserted, reflecting EU-wide condemnation.
The European Commission took additional steps, with executive vice-president Teresa Ribera publishing an interview with Levine from her hospital room, captioned: “They want no witnesses.” This symbolic gesture underscored institutional recognition of journalism’s vital role in documenting human rights violations.
Israel’s foreign ministry issued its own condemnation of the diplomatic attacks, while police announced intentions to investigate. However, historical patterns raise questions about prosecutorial consistency.
According to Israeli rights organisation Yesh Din, approximately 94 per cent of investigations into settler violence since 2005 concluded without indictment, with only three per cent resulting in full or partial convictions. These statistics lend weight to concerns expressed by various stakeholders about systemic impunity.
The Washington Post has reiterated calls for transparency regarding Levine’s case, emphasising standards applicable regardless of perpetrator identity or political affiliation.
Why it Matters
This chain of events illuminates deeper challenges facing democratic governance in contested territories where competing national narratives intersect with international legal frameworks. As elections approach, the safety of journalists and diplomats becomes not merely symbolic but strategic—undermining their protection risks eroding global trust in institutions tasked with mediating disputes. The disproportionate lack of accountability for settler violence threatens Israel’s international standing while complicating peace efforts rooted in rule of law principles. For Palestinians, ongoing harassment during culturally significant activities like olive harvesting reinforces systemic inequities that elections alone cannot resolve. Meanwhile, foreign policy credibility depends upon consistent advocacy for fundamental freedoms—including press liberty—that transcend partisan politics.