JERUSALEM (AP) — The photographer with The Washington Post who was attacked by Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank so badly that several vertebrae were broken said Sunday she was increasingly angry that Israel’s military seems to protect settlers more than the Palestinians they threaten.
The attack on Heidi Levine and Palestinians during the sensitive olive harvest — followed a day later by an attack on European diplomats in a Christian village — again highlights the rampant settler violence that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has blamed on a small number of troublemakers.
Levine, from her hospital bed, has told The Associated Press she was “shocked and insulted” that Netanyahu referred to the attack on her and others as “alleged,” adding that the prime minister “had all the evidence on the table.”
In contrast, she described the sharp condemnation of settler violence expressed to her in a call from Israel’s president, and in a letter signed by several of the country’s top former security and intelligence officials. All expressed shame over the attack.
Netanyahu, two weeks out from close elections that could end his time in power, is again confronted with an issue that has drawn growing international condemnation. Much of the world considers the settlements in the West Bank illegal, and yet construction and expansion continue.
Hundreds of Palestinians have been attacked and a few have been killed this olive harvest alone, which started in late September, rights groups have said. Olive trees, a central part of history and heritage for Palestinians, have been destroyed.
Levine blamed “Jewish terrorists” for Friday's attack and added: “I’ve been covering this region for over 40 years, and I have never seen this country in such a state as it is today.”
Levine was recovering Sunday from injuries that included what appeared to be stab wounds in her buttocks, which required stitches. There was nothing new from police on the case, she said.
U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, whose recent comments have condemned settler attacks on U.S. citizens but not on Palestinians overall, called the attack on Levine a “despicable act of terror carried out by masked cowards” and said they should spend years in prison.
Separately, Israeli President Isaac Herzog called Levine, and Yair Golan, a former general and leader of the opposition Democrats party, visited. Netanyahu’s main rival in the elections, Gadi Eisenkot, said on X that “a handful of criminals is burning up the last shreds of legitimacy left to the state of Israel.”
Herzog was “actually very sweet,” Levine said Sunday. “Down to earth, calling them thugs, inviting me for a personal hug. He’s ashamed for what happened: ‘These people are a stain on Israeli society.’”
She said she has not heard from Netanyahu. His outgoing government is dominated by West Bank settlers and their supporters.
Levine did receive, however, a letter signed by over a dozen former Israeli security, intelligence and other officials, including former Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon, former Mossad director Tamir Pardo and former Shin Bet director Ami Ayalon.
“We are deeply ashamed that Jewish terrorists in the West Bank continue to inflict suffering on innocent Palestinians, assault those who come to their defense, and target those who document and expose their despicable conduct,” said the letter, shared with the AP.
“Their brutality brings disgrace upon Israel and the Jewish people. Such acts undermine Israel’s security, its regional and international standing, and the moral fabric of our society. They represent a betrayal of everything we have devoted our lives to defending.”
The letter noted that “alas, with encouragement from the highest echelons of government,” only a fundamental change in policy can end the “disgraceful phenomenon.”
Levine told the AP that “I never wanted the story to be about me but about the people I’ve tried to document” over decades. She said she has sought to show how the violence is “increasing, becoming more and more dangerous.”
She has said the attackers — armed with bottles and slingshots — “were kicking me for like 10 minutes and I was trying to hold on to my cameras and my bag.” Her helmet and protective vest, which was marked “PRESS,” likely saved her from more serious injuries.
But she and others have openly wondered who will protect Palestinians. Rights groups have said few settlers are ever punished for the attacks that have surged in recent years.
“It’s about time you do something, Mr. Prime Minister,” Levine said.
As for herself, she plans to return to work.
“I’ve invested decades of blood, sweat and tears into this,” she said. “They cracked my bones, they haven’t cracked my spirit.”
Associated Press writer Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Israel, contributed to this report.
This version corrects to say the attack was Friday.
Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine receives treatment at Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva, Israel, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, after being injured in an attack by Israeli settlers while covering clashes that erupted during the Palestinian olive harvest in the West Bank village of Abu Falah on Friday. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine receives treatment at Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva, Israel, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, after being injured in an attack by Israeli settlers while covering clashes that erupted during the Palestinian olive harvest in the West Bank village of Abu Falah on Friday. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
LONDON (AP) — Trying to seal a desperately needed win, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud threw an interception in the end zone and gave the Jacksonville Jaguars another chance on Sunday.
Jacksonville tied the game at 31-31, but Stroud didn't stress about it.
“His mindset was 'Hey, I got you Coach, don’t worry about it,” Houston coach DeMeco Ryans said.
With just under two minutes left, Stroud led a drive to set up Ka’imi Fairbairn's 49-yard field goal as time expired and the Texans won 34-31 on the slick grass of Wembley Stadium.
“When a player tells me that, that just gives me the confidence that I need,” Ryans said. “He responded in an outstanding way.”
Stroud threw three touchdown passes and Marvin Harrison Jr. made his debut for the Texans (2-4) as Houston earned back-to-back wins to gain ground on the AFC South-leading Jaguars (4-2).
Cam Little’s 60-yard field goal had tied the game — a week after his 57-yarder won it for Jacksonville against the Eagles at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — after Travis Hunter intercepted Stroud’s pass in the end zone.
Hunter also hauled in a 7-yard touchdown pass at the other end — becoming just the fifth player in the Super Bowl era, including the playoffs, to both score a touchdown and intercept a pass in the same game.
“Just made a mistake,” Stroud said of Hunter's pick. “I've learned in my life I've got to flush my failures and flush my successes and just move on. Our defense did a great job holding them to three points, and then gave me the ball back, and went down and had a game-winning drive.”
Stroud said he appreciated hearing words of support from Ryans and his teammates.
“What they did for me in that moment really meant a lot,” he said.
Tight end Foster Moreau caught two touchdown passes from Stroud, who also connected with Jaylin Noel for a 13-yard score in the third quarter for a 24-14 lead.
Moreau scored on a 6-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter and a 1-yarder just before the end of the half.
Penalties dogged the Jaguars for a third straight week. They were flagged for too many men on the field on a Houston punt — extending a Texans drive that ended with Noel’s touchdown.
Trevor Lawrence threw four touchdown passes, including a pair to Bhayshul Tuten. His 1-yard pass to rookie tight end Nate Boerkircher cut Houston’s lead to 24-21.
Houston responded with Jawhar Jordan’s 25-yard touchdown run to restore a 10-point lead, 31-21, late in the third quarter.
Two-way star Hunter, who scored his first NFL touchdown at Wembley a year ago, snagged his second when he hauled in a pass over the middle to reduce Houston’s lead to 31-28 in the fourth quarter.
Hunter's interception led to Jacksonville's drive and Little’s game-tying field goal.
“We didn’t get the result we wanted,” Jags coach Liam Coen said. “(But) I’m extremely proud of this team in the way they kept fighting today, going down 10 points ... kept fighting.”
Stroud completed 24 of 34 passes for 312 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. The interception was his first of the season.
Harrison, who joined the Texans this week in a trade with Arizona, made three catches for 34 yards. Woody Marks had 15 carries for 56 yards, the first running back to break 40 yards in a game this season against Jacksonville.
Lawrence finished 24 of 41 for 306 yards, four TDs and an interception.
The Texans were at 2-4 at this point last season and finished 12-5 to earn a wild-card playoff spot.
Early rain made the Wembley grass slippery — and not just for players. Umpire Larry Smith slipped and hurt his knee in the first quarter. He left on a cart.
Houston receiver Nico Collins changed cleats for longer spikes in first half. Tight end Dalton Schultz made a third down catch in the red zone but slipped just before the first down marker. The Texans opted for Fairbairn’s 25-yard field for a 10-7 lead.
Texans: LB Azeez Al-Shaair was evaluated for a concussion in the second quarter, headed to the locker room afterward, and returned in the third quarter ... S Reed Blankenship also left in the first half.
Jaguars: RB Ameer Abdullah was helped off after a kickoff return. He later came back into the game.... All-Pro long snapper Ross Matiscik (shoulder) had been ruled out Friday, replaced by newly signed Jacob Bobenmoyer.
Texans: Host the New York Giants next Sunday before a bye in Week 8.
Jaguars: Bye.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) makes a pass during an NFL football game against Jacksonville Jaguars in London, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
Umpire Larry Smith is assisted from the field after getting injured during an NFL football game between Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars in London, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
Houston Texans tight end Foster Moreau (87), second right, celebrates after scoring his side's second touchdown during an NFL football game against Jacksonville Jaguars in London, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) makes a catch as Houston Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter (3) closes in during an NFL football game in London, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten (33) celebrates after scoring his side's second touchdown during an NFL football game against Houston Texans in London, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel (13) is challenged by Jacksonville Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson (6) during an NFL football game in London, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
