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US Urges Israel To Crack Down on Settler Violence After Journalist Attacked

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The US has called on Israel to crack down on settler violence in the occupied West Bank after American photojournalist Heidi Levine was attacked on Friday. The incident occurred as around 80 settlers reportedly tried to block Palestinians from harvesting olives. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was “very disturbed” by the images and did not want to see further friction or a crisis in the West Bank.

Israeli Settler Violence: US Calls on Israel to Address Attacks

REPORTER:  
The US government has called on Israel to address settler violence in the occupied West Bank after an American journalist was attacked on Friday.

Marco Rubio (US SECRETARY OF STATE):  
We're very disturbed by those images and what we're seeing. We've asked the Israelis and continue to ask them to crack down on that stuff. The president's been very clear. He said this repeatedly. He does not want to see friction or anything, a crisis going on in the West Bank.

REPORTER:  
Footage shows Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine sitting on the ground after being beaten by a group of men. She was treated at a hospital for her injuries. Around 80 settlers, mostly dressed in black and wearing masks, tried to block Palestinians from harvesting olives. The settlers hurled stones, and at least one reportedly had a firearm. Israeli soldiers responding to the attack fired tear gas and live rounds.