US ambassador calls settler attack on photojournalist 'despicable act of terror'

Heidi Levine badly beaten, French mayor assaulted; EU and France demand accountability as Israel's prime minister remains ambiguous

By LineZotpaper

Published19 October 2026

Read Time3 min

The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has denounced the settler attack that left Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine beaten and requiring surgery as a 'despicable act of terror,' while Benjamin Netanyahu faces growing international condemnation and a domestic political challenge days before elections.

Heidi Levine, a 63-year-old award-winning photojournalist who lives in Israel, was set upon last Friday by masked Israeli settlers using clubs and other weapons as Palestinian farmers attempted to harvest olives in the occupied West Bank. Levine, who is recovering in a Petah Tikva hospital after hand surgery and treatment for broken ribs, said she was beaten for more than 10 minutes and had her camera, passport and phone stolen.

'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 and kicking me,' Levine said. She said the attack ended when Palestinian colleagues intervened to save her.

Ambassador Huckabee, a rightwing ally of President Donald Trump known for hardline pro-Israel rhetoric, was notably blunt in his condemnation. In a post on X, he called for a full investigation, arrest and prosecution of those responsible. 'Attacking a female photographer is a despicable act of terror carried out by masked cowards. Dishonorable act of senseless violence,' he wrote.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been ambiguous, condemning 'violence against anyone' but referring to the attack as 'alleged' and saying circumstances remain unclear.

The attack on Levine and the farmers was followed on Saturday by another outbreak of settler violence targeting European diplomats, a French mayor and the archbishop of Cambrai, who were visiting the occupied West Bank to join the olive harvest. Mayor Bernard Baudoux, wearing his sash of office, was knocked to the ground. A masked militant shouted 'Vive la France!' during the assault, a witness said.

'If settlers are behaving like this, there is a tolerance on the part of the Israeli government,' Baudoux told Agence France-Presse. 'The whole world needs to know what's happening.'

Violence is surging ahead of bitterly fought elections on 27 October, with the annual olive harvest repeatedly disrupted as Netanyahu seeks to shore up his pro-settlement base. President Donald Trump officially endorsed Netanyahu on Sunday, calling him 'a Great Warrior Prime Minister' and 'an even greater Partner for Peace.'

France's foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, has called on Israel to 'urgently halt criminal violence' and arrest those responsible. The EU has urged full accountability. The European Commission executive vice-president, Teresa Ribera, posted an interview with Levine in hospital, adding: 'They want no witnesses.'

Israel's foreign ministry condemned the attack on diplomats, and police promised an investigation. President Isaac Herzog called Levine in hospital, calling the attack 'outrageous and shocking.'

Netanyahu's main rival, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, criticised the prime minister, describing the attacks as 'Jewish terrorism, under the auspices of the Israeli government' and saying it was 'burning away the little legitimacy the state of Israel still possesses.'

The Washington Post has reiterated its call for a full and transparent investigation, even though Israel rarely fully investigates settler violence. Yesh Din, an Israeli rights group, says about 94% of investigations into settler violence since 2005 have ended without an indictment.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The targeting of a US journalist and European diplomats marks a significant escalation in settler violence in the occupied West Bank, with direct diplomatic consequences.
The attacks come days before Israeli elections, where the violence is being used politically by both Netanyahu and his opponents.
International pressure on Israel is mounting, but the US ambassador's strong condemnation contrasts with Netanyahu's ambiguity, highlighting a complex diplomatic dynamic.

Background

The occupied West Bank has seen a surge in settler violence, particularly during the annual olive harvest, a period when Palestinian farmers often face attacks. The US has historically been Israel's strongest ally, but the Biden administration (and now Trump administration) has varied in its public criticism of settlement activity. Ambassador Huckabee is a well-known pro-settlement figure, making his condemnation of the attack notable. Israel's justice system rarely prosecutes settler violence, with rights groups citing near-total impunity.

Key Perspectives

Mike Huckabee, US ambassador to Israel: Denounced the attack as 'despicable act of terror' and called for arrests. His strong language is unusual for a pro-settlement US envoy. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister: Remained ambiguous, calling the attack 'alleged' and focusing on condemning violence generally, likely to avoid alienating his pro-settlement base ahead of elections. Gadi Eisenkot, opposition leader: Accused Netanyahu of tolerating 'Jewish terrorism' and allowing the government to undermine Israel's legitimacy. EU and France: Condemned the attacks and demanded accountability, with France's foreign minister calling on Israel to halt criminal violence. Yesh Din (Israeli rights group): Highlighted the pattern of near-total impunity for settler violence, with 94% of investigations since 2005 ending without indictment.

What to Watch

Whether Israeli authorities arrest any settlers involved in the attacks, or whether the pattern of impunity continues.
The 27 October election results and whether the violence shifts voter opinion toward or away from Netanyahu.
Potential diplomatic fallout: EU and France may push for sanctions or other measures if Israel does not respond.
The condition of Heidi Levine and whether the Washington Post escalates pressure for a transparent investigation.

Sources

US ambassador to Israel calls West Bank settler attack on American photojournalist ‘terror’ · World news | The Guardian

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedMike Huckabee called the settler attack on Heidi Levine a “despicable act of terror”.World news | The Guardian: “The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has denounced the settler attack that left the Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine badly beaten and needing surgery as a “despicable act of terror””
SupportedThe attack left Levine badly beaten and needing surgery.World news | The Guardian: “the settler attack that left the Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine badly beaten and needing surgery”
SupportedFrench mayor Bernard Baudoux was assaulted and knocked to the ground.World news | The Guardian: “Bernard Baudoux, the mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries, was wearing his red, white and blue sash of office and attempting to enter a vehicle with diplomatic plates when he was assaulted and knocked to the ground.”
SupportedThe EU urged full accountability for the violence.World news | The Guardian: “The EU has condemned the attack and urged “full accountability as well as effective measures to prevent continued acts of violence and violent harassment against Palestinians”
SupportedFrance’s foreign minister called for Israel to halt the violence and arrest those responsible.World news | The Guardian: “France’s foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, has called on Israel to “urgently halt criminal violence” and to arrest those responsible for attacking Baudoux.”
SupportedNetanyahu was ambiguous, condemning violence while calling Levine’s attack alleged and saying its circumstances were unclear.World news | The Guardian: “Benjamin Netanyahu, has been ambiguous in addressing Levine’s assault, condemning “violence against anyone” but referring to the attack as “alleged” and saying its circumstances remain unclear.”
SupportedLevine said settlers beat her for more than 10 minutes.World news | The Guardian: “said she was beaten for more than 10 minutes by the settlers, who also stole her camera, passport and phone.”
SupportedLevine 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 and kicking me.”World news | The Guardian: ““I was attacked, pushed to the ground,” Levine said. “Luckily, I had my flak jacket and helmet, otherwise I probably wouldn’t even be here, because they just kept kicking and kicking me.””
Sources say otherwiseHuckabee wrote: “Attacking a female photographer is a despicable act of terror carried out by masked cowards.”World news | The Guardian: ““Attacking a female photographer is despicable act of terror carried out by masked cowards. Dishonorable act of senseless violence.””
SupportedA second outbreak of settler violence on Saturday was directed at European diplomats, a French mayor and the archbishop of Cambrai.World news | The Guardian: “The attack on the Palestinian farmers and Levine was followed on Saturday by another outbreak of settler violence directed against European diplomats, a French mayor and the archbishop of the French city of Cambrai”
SupportedViolence was surging before elections on 27 October as Netanyahu sought to shore up his pro-settlement base.World news | The Guardian: “Violence is surging ahead of bitterly fought elections to be held on 27 October, with Palestinians’ annual olive harvest being repeatedly disrupted by Israeli settlers as Netanyahu seeks to shore up his pro-settlement rightwing base.”
SupportedYesh Din says about 94% of settler-violence investigations since 2005 ended without an indictment.World news | The Guardian: “Yesh Din, an Israeli rights group, says around 94% of investigations into settler violence since 2005 have ended without an indictment, with just 3% leading to full or partial convictions.”