RAMALLAH, October 18, 2026 (WAFA) — The United States and France have intensified their criticism of ongoing Israeli colonist attacks in the occupied West Bank, as assaults on Palestinians, journalists, foreign solidarity activists and a European diplomatic delegation continue amid the olive harvest season.

The United States has urged Israel to take decisive action to deter colonist violence, while France has called on Israeli authorities to detain those responsible for attacking a European diplomatic delegation and bring them to justice.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said early Sunday that Washington was deeply concerned by footage of attacks in the occupied West Bank, stressing that the United States had repeatedly urged Israel to take firm measures to stop such violence.

Rubio's remarks followed Friday's assault on American photojournalist Heidi Levine, who works for The Washington Post, while covering attacks against Palestinian farmers in the occupied West Bank.

Levine was injured after Israeli colonists beat her, according to her account and statements by witnesses and medical personnel.

Rubio stressed that the attack on the American journalist was not an isolated incident, noting that Washington had received reports of other cases. He added that the US State Department was following the matter and awaiting a response from the US Embassy in Jerusalem.

He also noted that the olive harvest season typically draws large numbers of people to agricultural areas, adding that Washington was monitoring developments closely.

Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called on Israeli authorities to detain the colonists responsible for attacking a European diplomatic delegation and bring them to justice, describing the assault as “horrific.”

In a post on X, Barrot said Bernard Baudoux, the 78-year-old mayor of Aulnoye-Aymeries in northern France, had been violently attacked by extremist Israeli colonists in the occupied West Bank. He confirmed that Paris was in contact with him.

On Saturday, Israeli colonists attacked a diplomatic delegation comprising representatives from France, Belgium and Poland while it was visiting the town of al-Taybeh, east of Ramallah.

Circulating video footage showed colonists, some masked and carrying sticks and stones, threatening the delegation's vehicles. One vehicle appeared to have a shattered window.

Belgium's foreign minister also confirmed that European diplomats and the French mayor had been attacked in the occupied West Bank.

Barrot stressed the urgent need to end settler violence and ensure the safety of civilians, in accordance with obligations under international law.

M.N