US urges Israel to crack down on settler attacks

Summary

The United States wants Israel to do more to deter settler attacks in the occupied West Bank, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday after video circulated showing Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine being attacked. Middle East Eye reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alleged a smear campaign against settlers after French mayor Bernard Baudoux was beaten, while Netanyahu’s election rival Gadi Eisenkot accused the government of sponsoring Jewish terrorism. This follows earlier reports that Netanyahu’s office called for an investigation into Levine’s beating in Abu Falah, where witnesses said settlers attacked Palestinian olive pickers and the photographer.

Timeline

1. Middle East Eye

   17 Oct 2026, 20:42 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports that Netanyahu alleged a smear campaign against settlers after French mayor Bernard Baudoux was beaten, while Gadi Eisenkot accused the government of sponsoring Jewish terrorism and US Ambassador Mike Huckabee called for the prosecution of those who attacked Heidi Levine.

2. Middle East Eye

   17 Oct 2026, 23:50 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports Rubio said the US had asked Israel to crack down on settler attacks after video showed Levine being attacked, and that Belgium’s foreign minister said European diplomats and a French mayor were also attacked.