US ambassador urges Israel to prosecute over 'act of terror' against American photographer
Heidi Levine had been covering Palestinians' annual harvest of olives, which has been repeatedly disrupted by Israeli settlers. Settlers beat her and stole her passport, telephone, wallet and equipment, according to witnesses. She was taken to the hospital with broken vertebrae, and is now in moderate condition.
US Senator Marco Rubio expressed alarm over the surge in violent attacks by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, urging the nation to implement stricter measures to prevent such incidents. The senator emphasized Washington's concern over recent footage depicting settlers assaulting American photojournalist Heidi Levin, one of multiple individuals injured during the altercation on Friday.
This incident marked one of several assaults reported against Palestinian civilians, including European diplomats and a French mayor, by Israeli settlers.
Rubio divulged to reporters that the US State Department had previously inquired about the assault on Levin and anticipated receiving a response from the embassy in Jerusalem by Sunday. According to the Israeli advocacy group Yesh Din, which tracks settler activities in the West Bank, there have been at least 170 attacks on Palestinians since September 27, coinciding with the commencement of the olive harvest season.
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