West Bank violence: US photographer hospitalised and robbed; Washington demands arrests

The United States has pressed Israeli authorities to investigate and prosecute those responsible for a violent attack in the occupied West Bank that left an American photojournalist in hospital with broken vertebrae and head trauma. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee both called for action after footage of the assault emerged.

Key facts

• The photographer, Heidi Levine, was on assignment for The Washington Post covering Palestinian farmers during the annual olive harvest
• Hospital officials said on Saturday she remains admitted in moderate condition with spinal fractures
• Eyewitnesses and video records indicate illegal Israeli settlers beat her and took her passport, mobile phone, wallet and camera equipment
• Rubio urged Israeli authorities to "crack down" on violence across the territory
• Israeli parliamentary elections are set for 27 October

What happened?

Heidi Levine, a veteran photographer working for The Washington Post, was documenting Palestinian farmers during their annual olive harvest when she was attacked. According to eyewitnesses and video records, illegal Israeli settlers severely beat her before stealing her passport, mobile telephone, wallet and camera equipment.

Hospital officials confirmed on Saturday that she is still being treated and is in moderate condition with spinal fractures.

Who is demanding action?

Rubio said on Saturday that the United States is very disturbed by footage of the assault and urged Israeli authorities to crack down on violence across the territory. Huckabee went further, calling the attack "Attacking a female photographer is a despicable act of terror carried out by masked cowards" and saying those who attacked an unarmed reporter should spend years in prison.

The ambassador called for a full investigation, arrest and prosecution to the fullest extent of the law for anyone who took part. Huckabee, a long-standing ally of Israel who has condemned earlier settler assaults on American nationals, did not name the culprits while investigations proceed. The US State Department had responded more cautiously on Friday, saying only that Washington condemns criminal violence by any party.

Why do the accounts differ?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested on Friday that Palestinian residents or far-left activists might have staged or carried out the assault, as he seeks to consolidate his right-wing, pro-settlement electoral base ahead of tightly contested parliamentary elections on 27 October. Huckabee's remarks came in contrast to that position.

What this means for travellers

The attack took place during the olive harvest across the occupied West Bank, which has faced repeated disruptions and violent confrontations from illegal Israeli settlers in recent weeks. American nationals have been targeted in earlier settler assaults, and in this case the victim's passport and personal belongings were taken.

Travellers visiting the occupied West Bank should note that confrontations have been reported during the harvest period, and should follow any safety guidance issued by their own government before travelling.

Investigations into the assault are continuing. Netanyahu's stated suspicion about who carried it out remains unconfirmed, and no start date or deadline for the prosecutions demanded by US officials has been announced.