Settlers Attack Washington Post Photographer Heidi Levine
On Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine, an American, was attacked by masked Israeli settlers near the village of Abu Falah, northeast of Ramallah, while covering Palestinians harvesting olives. Wearing a helmet and a vest marked "PRESS," she was knocked to the ground, repeatedly kicked and robbed of her cameras and phone; she was hospitalized in Ramallah with injuries reported to include a nearly severed finger, a broken rib and fractured vertebrae. Palestinians were also injured in the clashes. The Post's executive editor, Matt Murray, said the paper was "outraged by this unwarranted attack." The U.S. Embassy said, "We condemn criminal violence by any party in the West Bank and call for investigations, arrests, and convictions," and a State Department spokesperson said the department had offered consular assistance. Israeli police and the military opened investigations; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office condemned violence "against anyone" but said the facts "remain unclear," which critics said downplayed the attack. Democratic senators and House members, several noting that the Trump administration lifted the Biden-era sanctions on violent settlers, demanded accountability.
“[On X:] Today, another American citizen and journalist was brutalized by Israeli settlers attacking Palestinians in the West Bank. This repeated violence and brazen impunity for attacks against Americans and Palestinians alike are unacceptable. When will Trump and Rubio DO SOMETHING?”