US ambassador condemns 'despicable' Israeli settler attack that seriously injured US photographer

The US ambassador to Israel has condemned an attack by dozens of masked Israeli settlers on a village's harvest in the West Bank that left several people injured including an American photographer. <p>The black-clad settlers burned olive trees and threw rocks in a coordinated assault on Friday as <strong><a href="https://news.sky.com/topic/palestine-11758/1">Palestinians</a></strong> from Abu Falah gathered to pick fruit in an annual tradition.</p><p>Around 80 Israelis, including a number who were carrying gas canisters, descended from a hill above the olive grove and some used slings to launch rocks towards villagers, who threw stones to defend themselves.</p><p>Heidi Levine, an award-winning photojournalist with the Washington Post, was seriously injured in the attack.</p><widget id="11"></widget><p>She said she was forced to the ground and beaten for more than 10 minutes by the settlers, who also stole her camera, passport and phone.</p><p>Speaking from a hospital bed, Ms Levine, who is in stable condition, ‌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 me and kicking me."</p><p>Video of the attack showed the photographer lying on her side on a dirt path with her hands over her face as at least three settlers surrounded her.</p><p>Ambassador Mike Huckabee condemned the violence as "a despicable act of terror carried out by masked cowards".</p> <widget id="9"></widget><p>In a post on X, he called for "a full investigation, arrest, and prosecution to the fullest extent of the law to whoever participated in this".</p><p>Mr Huckabee said the assault on Ms Levine was "vicious" and "dishonourable", and noted she was clearly identified as a journalist when she was attacked.</p><p>The Washington Post has also called for a full and transparent investigation.</p><p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was ambiguous in addressing Ms Levine's assault, condemning "violence against anyone" but referring to the attack as "alleged" and saying its circumstances remain unclear.</p> <widget id="5"></widget><p>At least four people have been killed and over 100 injured since the harvest began earlier this month, according to the Palestinian health ministry.</p><p>Meanwhile, US secretary of state Marco Rubio says his country wants <strong><a href="https://news.sky.com/topic/israel-5981/1">Israel</a></strong> to do more to deter attacks committed by settlers ‌in the West Bank.</p><p>"We're very disturbed by those images and what we're seeing," Mr ​Rubio said. "We've asked the Israelis ‌and continue to ask them to crack down on that ​stuff."</p><p>Israeli police are also investigating an attack by Israeli settlers on European diplomats on Saturday in another West Bank village.</p> <widget id="6"></widget><p>The settlers attacked the diplomats, Palestinian civilians and a French mayor in the Christian village of Taybeh, sparking international condemnation.</p><p>Belgium's foreign minister Maxime Prevot said the country's consul general to the Palestinians, French and Polish diplomats, and Catholic representatives were targeted by the masked settlers along with a Belgian vehicle.</p><p>Bernard Baudoux, mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries in northern France, said he was "thrown to the ground" near the village while harvesting olives in solidarity with the local community.</p><p><strong>More from Sky News:</strong><br /><a href="https://news.sky.com/story/police-officer-shot-in-nottingham-city-centre-13600507" target="_self"><strong>Gun at scene after police officer shot in Nottingham<br />Two killed after woman drives truck through football pitch</strong></a></p> <widget id="4"></widget><p>Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar confirmed a police investigation has been opened and called the attackers "rioters" on X.</p><p>He said it was "unfortunate that the visit was not coordinated with the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) in advance".</p><p>Palestinian ‌vice president Hussein al-Sheikh said its citizens were subjected to "daily terrorism" and called for a "firm international stance".</p> <widget id="10"></widget><p>Israeli officials, including Mr Netanyahu, have previously claimed that settler violence is carried out by a ‌small minority - which is disputed by Palestinians and human rights groups.</p><p>The attacks have risen sharply in recent years and also affected journalists, activists and foreign observers.</p>