Israeli police arrest 10 people after horror West Bank settler attacks on US journalist and European diplomats

Police in Israel have detained 10 people after a weekend of settler violence in the West Bank , days before the crucial general election. The shocking violence included attacks on foreign journalist and European diplomats in the occupied region. The attacks came during a spike in settler violence during the annual Palestinian olive harvest season. US photographer Heidi Levine had been covering the harvest in a Palestinian village on Friday when she was knocked down, beaten and kicked by a group of masked Israeli men, in what she described as an "attempted lynching". The Washington Post photographer was left with several broken ribs and vertebrae in the village of Abu Falah. To see more of the stories you love from The Mirror and to find them easily in Google then make us your preferred source. Free and easy-to-do, just click on the link here to find more from The Mirror at the top of your feed. She also underwent surgery on a finger that was nearly severed and is recovering from what appeared to be stab wounds to her lower body, which required stitches. From her hospital bed, Ms Levine said she was "shocked and insulted" that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had cast doubt on the attack, which was witnessed by a crowd of people, by calling it "alleged". Speaking to the BBC on Monday, she said: "I was just reading another article regarding the prime minister's response, and it's shocking to me. It's a big slap on my face." She added: "I was practically, basically lynched by a gang of Jewish settlers in the area of Ramallah." US ambassador Mike Huckabee condemned the attack as a "despicable act of terror carried out by masked cowards", and said they should spend years in prison. Israel's president and several opposition politicians also spoke out against the attack. Just a day after the horrific onslaught, masked settlers wielding sticks and iron bars attacked a group of European diplomats and others visiting the Christian village of Taybeh. A visiting French mayor was assaulted and a young Palestinian man with left with severe injuries. The attack on diplomats also targeted Belgium's consul general, French and Polish diplomats and Catholic representatives. Belgian foreign minister Maxime Prevot said: "Impunity for violent settlers must end." Cops did not identify the suspects or specify their roles in the attacks but said they were transferred for questioning. A court, hours after the arrests, extended the detention of six of the men to up to four days. Israel has come under heavy international criticism for the attacks. Cops said they have collected evidence and witness statements since the attacks, adding that the Shin Bet internal security agency, the paramilitary border police force and the Israeli military had all participated in the investigation. Settler violence has surged in recent years, and rights groups have said that attackers are rarely arrested or punished for incidents against Palestinians. Police said the operation on Monday also targeted people suspected of violating military orders declaring a closed military zone and offences involving illegal construction. They said they seized several vehicles and items linking suspects to alleged offences. This comes just days before the Israeli elections, on October 27, where far-right leader Netanyahu is fighting to hold onto power. These are the first votes since the conflict with Hamas and war on Gaza started on October 7, 2023. His coalition includes several extremist settlers who have supported people pushing out Palestinians from their homes and off their land in parts of the West Bank. Israel has built around 160 settlements in the occupied region, where around 700,000 Israelis have moved into. These settlements are illegal under international law.