A Washington Post photojournalist was severely beaten by masked Israeli settlers during the olive harvest in the occupied West Bank, an incident that has reignited debate over settler violence and the Israeli government’s response. Heidi Levine, who was covering Palestinians harvesting olives, sustained multiple injuries, including broken ribs and hand damage that required surgery. She remains hospitalized in Petah Tikva, near Tel Aviv.
According to Levine, the attack lasted over 10 minutes and involved settlers armed with clubs and slingshots. She credited her protective gear, including a helmet and flak jacket marked "Press," with preventing even more serious harm. Palestinian colleagues intervened to help end the assault. The settlers also reportedly stole her camera, passport, and phone.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee described the attack as a “despicable act of terror carried out by masked cowards” and called for a full investigation and prosecution of those responsible. Huckabee emphasized Levine’s status as a U.S. citizen and a clearly identified journalist in his condemnation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned “violence against anyone” but referred to the assault as “alleged,” stating that details were still unclear. Levine expressed feeling “shocked and insulted” by Netanyahu’s characterization, especially given his government’s apparent access to evidence. Meanwhile, Israeli President Isaac Herzog personally called Levine to express his condemnation, describing the perpetrators as “thugs” and calling the attack a stain on Israeli society.
A letter signed by over a dozen former top Israeli security and intelligence officials, including ex-Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon, former Mossad chief Tamir Pardo, and ex-Shin Bet leader Ami Ayalon, also condemned the violence. The letter described the attackers as “Jewish terrorists” whose brutality undermines Israel’s security and moral fabric, and called for a fundamental policy shift to halt such incidents.
The attack occurred amid a particularly sensitive period for Palestinian farmers harvesting olives, a ritual with deep cultural and historical significance. Human rights organizations have reported that many Palestinians in the West Bank face settler violence during this season, including destruction of olive trees and physical attacks. Despite international criticism of Israeli settlement expansion—most of which is considered illegal under international law—such expansion continues alongside a rise in settler violence, which critics say is insufficiently addressed by Israeli authorities.
In a related incident, European diplomats, including the French consul general and the Belgian and Polish consuls, faced intimidation by a group of armed settlers while visiting the Christian town of Taybeh. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrat called on Israel to urgently end such criminal violence and apprehend those responsible. The European Union also urged full accountability and preventive measures to protect Palestinians and journalists.
Rights groups highlight that Israeli police investigations into settler violence frequently fail to result in indictments. An Israeli organization reported that since 2005, approximately 94 percent of these investigations ended without charges, with less than 3 percent leading to convictions.
Despite her injuries, Levine stated her intention to continue reporting, emphasizing that she wanted the focus to remain on the people affected by the violence rather than on herself. “They cracked my bones; they haven’t cracked my spirit,” she said, underscoring the deepening tensions and the challenges facing journalists and Palestinians in the occupied territories as Israel approaches a critical election period.