US condemns 'criminal violence' in West Bank after photojournalist attacked

• US State Department expressed great concern over the settler attack on journalist Heidi Levine, offering
• Levine was severely beaten while covering the olive harvest in Abu Falah despite visible press markings, receiving treatment in Ramallah
• The Washington Post and FPA demanded a thorough probe; 'Israeli' police and military allegedly launched investigations into the incident
• The assault was part of a wider wave of West Bank violence, with two foreign journalists and at least 12 Palestinians injured amid 136 harvest-related attacks since early October

The US State Department said on Friday that it is "greatly concerned" following an attack by 'Israeli' settlers on The Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine in the occupied West Bank.

"The Department of State is aware of these reports. We are greatly concerned when any American is harmed overseas and stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance," a State Department spokesman said. "The Department has reached out to the Washington Post to offer consular assistance."

The department added that the Trump administration holds no higher priority than the safety and security of American citizens, noting that Washington maintains regular dialogue with partners regarding stability and security in the West Bank.

"We condemn criminal violence by any party in the West Bank and support appropriate investigations as well as legal accountability for those responsible," the spokesman said. The statement did not explicitly mention 'Israeli' settlers.

Assault on photojournalist 

Levine was "badly beaten" while covering the Palestinian olive harvest in the village of Abu Falah, near Ramallah, according to the Foreign Press Association (FPA).

She was subsequently transported to Ramallah Government Hospital, where she remained in stable condition.

The Washington Post stated that Levine was wearing "visible markings clearly identifying her as a journalist" at the time of the assault, calling for "a thorough investigation and follow-through from authorities."

In response, 'Israel' Police alleged that an investigation had been opened, while the 'Israeli' army said it would examine "all circumstances" of the incident.

The FPA described the assault as "the latest in a long line of violent attacks by 'Israeli' settlers against journalists and other civilians in the occupied West Bank."

Levine was one of two foreign journalists injured in attacks across the Ramallah and Al-Bireh governorate.

The violence also left at least 12 Palestinians wounded -many of them farmers harvesting olives- according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, the Civil Defense, and Al-Baydar.

The Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission stated this week that it had documented at least 136 attacks linked to the olive harvest season carried out by 'Israeli' forces and settlers since the beginning of October.

The olive harvest serves as a vital source of income for thousands of Palestinian families in the West Bank, where farmers face increasing attacks and land-access restrictions during the season.

Attacks by 'Israeli' forces and settlers against Palestinians and their property across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have intensified since the start of the genocide in Gaza in October 2023.