‘Very disturbed’ Rubio urges Israeli crackdown on extremist settler violence

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed concern over the increasing violence carried out by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. During an interview with reporters, Rubio stated that the United States is deeply disturbed by the recent attacks on American photojournalist Heidi Levine and other individuals. Following the incident, where Levine and others were attacked by settlers, Rubio emphasized that the US State Department has inquired about the event and is waiting for a response from the Israeli embassy in Jerusalem.

Israeli settlers have been responsible for at least 170 attacks on Palestinians since early September, primarily during the olive harvest season. US Ambassador Mike Huckabee demanded that Israel prosecute and jail the attackers, calling the assault on Levine a "despicable act of terror." Despite criticism from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who suggested that Palestinians or far-left activists might be responsible, Huckabee insisted that whoever participated in the attack should face severe consequences, including years in prison.

Heidi Levine, who was hospitalized with broken vertebrae after the attack, was listed in moderate condition and had been covering the annual olive harvest, which is frequently disrupted by Israeli settlers.