US Envoy and Israeli Premier Diverge Over Settler Attack on Washington Post Photographer

The U.S. ambassador to Israel and Israel's prime minister have responded very differently to a settler attack on Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine in the occupied West Bank. Levine, an American, needed hand surgery after the assault, according to The Independent and ABC News.

The attack happened Friday during an olive harvest in the village of Abu Falah and also injured several Palestinians. The reports say Israeli police are separately investigating a Saturday attack by settlers on European diplomats in another West Bank village.

What happened to Levine

Levine has covered conflict zones around the world for more than four decades and has won awards for her work. She remains hospitalized in Tel Aviv, where she is recovering from hand surgery, broken ribs and other injuries, the reports said.

By her own account, settlers forced her to the ground and beat her for more than 10 minutes. She said they also stole her camera, passport and phone. U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee said she was clearly identified as a journalist at the time.

The ambassador's position

In a post late Saturday on X, Huckabee condemned the attack in strong terms, calling it “a despicable act of terror carried out by masked cowards.” He also described the assault on Levine as vicious and dishonorable.

Huckabee called for a full investigation and for those involved to be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The prime minister's position

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was more ambiguous, according to the reports. He condemned violence against anyone, but he described the attack on Levine as alleged and said the circumstances were still unclear.

The Washington Post has repeated its call for a full and transparent investigation.

Why Israeli investigations are under scrutiny

The reports note that Israel rarely investigates settler violence fully. They cite Yesh Din, an Israeli rights group, which says about 94% of investigations into settler violence since 2005 ended without an indictment. By the group's count, only 3% led to full or partial convictions.

Settler violence against Palestinians has soared this year, the reports said, and has risen further in recent weeks as Israel prepares for elections on Oct. 27.

What's at stake

For journalists working in the West Bank, the case tests whether an attack on an identified member of the press, who is also a U.S. citizen, leads to an arrest or prosecution. Levine said she was beaten for more than 10 minutes, and the loss of her passport, phone and camera adds to the disruption of her work and travel.

For Palestinians in the area, including those injured in the same attack, the outcome may indicate how seriously authorities treat such incidents. The data cited by Yesh Din show that most past investigations ended without charges.

The case also exposes a public difference in tone between a senior U.S. official and the Israeli leader. The sources do not say whether any suspects have been identified or detained in either the Levine attack or the attack on the diplomats.

Sources: The Independent, ABC News