Rubio urges Israel to crack down on West Bank settler violence after attack on US photojournalist

US Secretary of State says footage of assault on American journalist is 'very disturbing'

By LineZotpaper

Published18 October 2026

Read Time2 min

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on Israel to take stronger action against settler violence in the occupied West Bank, following an attack that injured an American photojournalist and European diplomats during the Palestinian olive harvest.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Rubio expressed concern over video footage showing Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine being assaulted during an incident on Friday. Levine was among at least two people injured as Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. European diplomats and a French mayor were also attacked, according to Belgium's foreign minister.

"We're very disturbed by those images and what we're seeing," Rubio said, adding that Washington had repeatedly asked Israeli authorities to crack down on such violence.

The US State Department has requested information about the incident involving Levine and is awaiting further details from the American Embassy in Jerusalem. Rubio said he expected to receive an update by Sunday.

The comments come amid a sharp increase in reported settler violence across the occupied territory, coinciding with the annual Palestinian olive harvest. According to Israeli settlement monitoring organisation Yesh Din, settlers have carried out at least 170 attacks against Palestinians since September 27.

The incidents have raised concerns over the safety of Palestinian communities and foreign nationals operating in the territory. Washington's latest intervention highlights growing pressure on Israeli authorities to address settler violence, particularly following attacks involving American citizens and European representatives.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The attack on an American journalist and European diplomats escalates the diplomatic stakes for Israel, increasing pressure from key allies to act.
The spike in violence during the olive harvest threatens Palestinian livelihoods and raises the risk of further international condemnation.
Continued settler violence could deepen tensions between Israel and the Biden administration, affecting bilateral relations and security cooperation.

Background

The West Bank has been occupied by Israel since 1967, with Jewish settlements considered illegal under international law. Settler violence against Palestinians has been a longstanding issue, often escalating during the olive harvest season when Palestinian farmers access their groves in areas near settlements. The US has traditionally urged restraint, but attacks on foreign nationals and American citizens raise the political cost of inaction.

Key Perspectives

United States: The administration is pressing Israel to enforce the law and protect all civilians, including foreign journalists and diplomats. Rubio's public remarks signal frustration with what Washington sees as insufficient Israeli enforcement against settler violence. Israeli authorities: They face competing pressures from right-wing coalition partners who support settlement expansion and international calls for tighter control over settlers. The government's response to the recent incidents is closely watched. Palestinian communities and foreign nationals: The attacks during the olive harvest disrupt a vital economic activity and create an environment of fear. The assault on a journalist and European officials underscores the broader security risks in the territory.

What to Watch

The State Department update expected by Sunday on the investigation into the attack on Heidi Levine.
Whether the Israeli government announces new measures or arrests following the diplomatic outcry.
Further incidents of settler violence as the olive harvest continues through October and November.

Sources

U.S. urges Israel to curb settler violence in West Bank, Rubio says · Yahoo Finance

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.

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SupportedRubio urged Israel to crack down on West Bank settler violence after attack on US photojournalistYahoo Finance: “U.S. urges Israel to curb settler violence in West Bank, Rubio says. Investing.com -- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged Israel to take stronger action against settler violence in the occupied West Bank following attacks on Palestinians and foreign nationals.”
SupportedUS Secretary of State says footage of assault on American journalist is 'very disturbing'Yahoo Finance: “We're very disturbed by those images and what we're seeing.”
SupportedUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on Israel to take stronger action against settler violence in the occupied West Bank, following an attack that injured an American photojournalist and European diplomats during the Palestinian olive harvest.Yahoo Finance: “U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged Israel to take stronger action against settler violence in the occupied West Bank following attacks on Palestinians and foreign nationals. ... video showing several individuals attacking Heidi Levine ... European diplomats and a French mayor were also attacked, according to Belgium's foreign minister. ... coinciding with the annual Palestinian olive harvest.”
SupportedSpeaking to reporters on Saturday, Rubio expressed concern over video footage showing Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine being assaulted during an incident on Friday.Yahoo Finance: “Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Rubio expressed concern over footage showing an American photojournalist being assaulted during an incident involving Israeli settlers. ... video showing several individuals attacking Heidi Levine, a Washington Post photojournalist, during an incident on Friday.”
SupportedLevine was among at least two people injured as Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.Yahoo Finance: “Levine was among at least two people injured as Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.”
SupportedEuropean diplomats and a French mayor were also attacked, according to Belgium's foreign minister.Yahoo Finance: “European diplomats and a French mayor were also attacked, according to Belgium's foreign minister.”
Supported"We're very disturbed by those images and what we're seeing," Rubio said, adding that Washington had repeatedly asked Israeli authorities to crack down on such violence.Yahoo Finance: “"We're very disturbed by those images and what we're seeing," Rubio said, adding that Washington had repeatedly asked Israeli authorities to crack down on such violence.”
SupportedThe US State Department has requested information about the incident involving Levine and is awaiting further details from the American Embassy in Jerusalem.Yahoo Finance: “Rubio said the U.S. State Department had requested information about the incident involving Levine and was awaiting further details from the American Embassy in Jerusalem.”
SupportedRubio said he expected to receive an update by Sunday.Yahoo Finance: “he said he expected to receive an update by Sunday.”
SupportedThe comments come amid a sharp increase in reported settler violence across the occupied territory, coinciding with the annual Palestinian olive harvest.Yahoo Finance: “The comments come amid a sharp increase in reported settler violence across the occupied territory, coinciding with the annual Palestinian olive harvest.”
SupportedAccording to Israeli settlement monitoring organisation Yesh Din, settlers have carried out at least 170 attacks against Palestinians since September 27.Yahoo Finance: “According to Israeli settlement monitoring organisation Yesh Din, settlers have carried out at least 170 attacks against Palestinians since September 27, around the beginning of the harvest season.”
SupportedThe incidents have raised concerns over the safety of Palestinian communities and foreign nationals operating in the territory.Yahoo Finance: “The incidents have raised concerns over the safety of Palestinian communities and foreign nationals operating in the territory.”