US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged Israel to take stronger action against settler violence in the occupied West Bank, expressing concern over reports and images of attacks on civilians and journalists. His remarks come amid renewed international attention on violence in Palestinian communities.
Speaking to reporters in Maryland before departing for Uzbekistan, Rubio was asked about the reported assault on Heidi Levine, an American photojournalist working with The Washington Post. Levine was injured during an incident involving Israeli settlers while covering violence against Palestinian olive harvesters.
Responding to the question, Rubio said he had seen the images and was deeply concerned by what they showed. He added that the United States had asked Israeli authorities to crack down on such incidents and would continue pressing them to take stronger measures to prevent further attacks.
Rubio’s comments underline Washington’s concern about the escalation of violence in the West Bank. According to Reuters, the US State Department has sought further information about the incident involving Levine and was expecting an update from the US Embassy in Jerusalem.
The American journalist was among those injured in an attack that reportedly targeted Palestinian civilians during the olive harvest season. The incident has drawn criticism and renewed calls for accountability, while concerns about the safety of journalists working in conflict-affected areas have also intensified.
Rubio also referred to President Donald Trump’s position on the situation, saying the president had repeatedly made clear that he did not want tensions to escalate or a new crisis to develop in the West Bank. The administration’s comments signal its desire to prevent further instability in the occupied territory.
