US ambassador to Israel calls West Bank settler attack on American photojournalist ‘terror’

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has strongly condemned the brutal attack on Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine, labeling it a despicable act of terror. Levine, who sustained multiple injuries, was targeted by masked settlers while documenting Palestinian olive harvests in the West Bank. Despite clear evidence of the assault, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initially referred to the event as alleged, drawing sharp criticism from the victim and political rivals. Conversely, Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed deep personal shame over the incident, and several former security officials echoed his condemnation. The violence intensified shortly after when a separate group of settlers attacked European diplomats, including the French mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries. These incidents have sparked international outrage, with France and the EU demanding accountability and an immediate end to the surging settler violence. While Israeli police have reportedly arrested eight suspects following the back-to-back attacks, critics point to a long-standing history of impunity regarding such crimes. Rights groups indicate that the vast majority of investigations into settler violence in the region fail to lead to indictments. Despite the trauma, Levine remains resilient, declaring that while the attackers broke her bones, they have not broken her spirit. The surge in violence occurs as Israel approaches a contentious election cycle, raising significant concerns about the current political and security climate.