US ambassador denounces attack on journalist Heidi Levine as 'despicable act of terror'

Mike Huckabee calls for investigation and prosecution; Levine says they cracked my bones but not my spirit

By LineZotpaper

Published19 October 2026

Read Time3 min

The US ambassador to Israel has condemned an attack by masked Israeli settlers that left Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine, 63, badly beaten and requiring surgery, calling it a 'despicable act of terror carried out by masked cowards.' The attack occurred last Friday as Palestinians harvested olives, with Levine, an award-winning journalist who lives in Israel, sustaining broken ribs, hand injuries and needing surgery.

Heidi Levine was set upon by masked Israeli settlers using clubs and other weapons. She said she was attacked for more than 10 minutes and beaten while on 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,' she said. 'I've been covering this region for over 40 years and I have never seen this country in such a state as it is today. They cracked my bones, they haven't cracked my spirit.'

Ambassador Mike Huckabee said the US has called for a 'full investigation, arrest, and prosecution to the fullest extent of the law to whoever participated in this.' He described the assault as a 'despicable act of terror carried out by masked cowards.'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reported as ambiguous in addressing the assault. He condemned 'violence against anyone' but referred to the attack as 'alleged' and said its circumstances remained unclear. Levine said she was 'shocked and insulted' by that response.

In other news

French President Emmanuel Macron has criticised 'unbridled violence' after days of unrest across France that left public buildings burned, shops destroyed or looted, and at least 2,400 people arrested. Macron said 'nothing justifies' the violence and refused the resignation of Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the US did not warn Ukraine about an impending Russian missile attack on Sunday evening, reviving concerns about withheld intelligence. He wrote that 'when the supply of missiles for Ukrainian air defence is blocked, and Russia receives sanctions relief or delays, it is a denial of reality on the part of our partners.'

Former US President Barack Obama condemned comments by Donald Trump's 'border tsar' that the administration could strip Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of her citizenship and deport her. Obama urged all Americans to defend Omar regardless of political beliefs.

Meanwhile, the captain of a flydubai flight attacked by a co-pilot who intended to crash the plane described blocking axe blows to his head and screaming for help. Captain Smit Machchhar has been hailed as a hero for averting disaster on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv last month; the UAE attorney general has called it an attempted suicide attack.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The attack on a veteran journalist covering a routine harvest underscores rising settler violence in the West Bank and risks to press freedom
A US ambassador's rare public denunciation signals a potential diplomatic rift with Israel's government over its response to settler attacks
The incident highlights the deteriorating security situation in the region, as noted by the journalist of four decades of experience

Background

Settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has been a long-standing issue, with many incidents documented. The attack on a journalist, particularly one with decades of experience covering the region, heightens international scrutiny. The US-Israel relationship has seen occasional friction, though the US has historically supported Israel's security. The lack of clarity from Israeli leadership, with Netanyahu ambiguous on this assault, complicates bilateral messaging.

Key Perspectives

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee: Denounced the attack as terror and called for accountability, signalling strong US displeasure. Journalist Heidi Levine: Describes the physical brutality and expresses shock at the official response, emphasising the changed state of the country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: Condemned 'violence against anyone' but referred to the attack as 'alleged' and its circumstances unclear, prompting criticism from the victim.

What to Watch

Whether Israeli authorities will open a formal investigation and bring charges against the attackers
Any further diplomatic statements from the US or actions such as sanctions on settlers
Clarity on the extent of Levine's injuries and her recovery, as a potential political flashpoint

Sources

First Thing: US ambassador in rare diplomatic break with Israel over attack on US journalist · World news | The Guardian

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedUS ambassador Mike Huckabee denounced the attack on Heidi Levine as a 'despicable act of terror'World news | The Guardian: “Attacking a female photographer is despicable act of terror carried out by masked cowards.”
SupportedHuckabee said the attack was 'carried out by masked cowards'World news | The Guardian: “Attacking a female photographer is despicable act of terror carried out by masked cowards.”
SupportedLevine was attacked by masked Israeli settlers who were attacking Palestinians harvesting olives, last FridayWorld news | The Guardian: “Levine, 63, an award-winning journalist who lives in Israel, was set upon last Friday by masked Israeli settlers who used clubs and other weapons to attack Palestinians attempting to harvest their olives.”
SupportedLevine, 63, is a Washington Post photojournalist who lives in Israel and was badly beaten, needing surgeryWorld news | The Guardian: “The photographer, who is in hospital recovering from hand surgery, broken ribs and other injuries, said she was beaten for more than 10 minutes.”
SupportedHuckabee said the US has called for a 'full investigation, arrest, and prosecution to the fullest extent of the law'World news | The Guardian: “We have called for a full investigation, arrest, and prosecution to the fullest extent of the law to whoever participated in this.”
Partly supportedLevine said she was attacked for more than 10 minutes and beaten while on the groundWorld news | The Guardian: “I was attacked, pushed to the ground.”
SupportedLevine: '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: “Luckily, I had my flak jacket and helmet, otherwise I probably wouldn't even be here, because they just kept kicking and kicking me.”
SupportedLevine: 'They cracked my bones, they haven't cracked my spirit'World news | The Guardian: “They cracked my bones, they haven't cracked my spirit.”
SupportedNetanyahu was ambiguous, condemned 'violence against anyone', called the attack 'alleged' and said its circumstances remained unclear; Levine said she was 'shocked and insulted'World news | The Guardian: “In a move Levine said left her “shocked and insulted”, Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has been ambiguous in addressing the assault.”
Partly supportedZelenskyy: 'when the supply of missiles for Ukrainian air defence is blocked, and Russia receives sanctions relief or delays, it is a denial of reality on the part of our partners'World news | The Guardian: “When the supply of missiles for Ukrainian air defence is blocked, and Russia receives sanctions relief or delays, it is, unfortunately, a denial of reality on the part of our partners.”
SupportedUkraine did not receive a US warning about an impending Russian missile attack on Sunday eveningWorld news | The Guardian: “Ukraine did not receive a warning from the US about an impending Russian missile attack on Sunday evening, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said”
SupportedAt least 2,400 people were arrested across France after days of unrest, and Macron said 'nothing justifies' the violenceWorld news | The Guardian: “at least 2,400 people arrested in cities across the country. Macron said “nothing justifies” violence”