US lawmakers demand action after attack on Washington Post journalist

US lawmakers have called on the Trump administration to hold Israeli settlers accountable after an attack on Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine and Palestinian villagers in the occupied West Bank. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro said the assault raised questions about the violence Palestinians face when there are no witnesses. “If the settlers will do this to an American journalist on camera, in broad daylight, imagine what Palestinian families face when no one is watching,” DeLauro wrote on X. “Those responsible for this attack must be held accountable.” If the settlers will do this to an American journalist on camera, in broad daylight, imagine what Palestinian families face when no one is watching. Those responsible for this attack must be held accountable. — Rosa DeLauro (@rosadelauro) October 16, 2026 Senator Chris Van Hollen described the “repeated violence and brazen impunity for attacks” against Americans and Palestinians as “unacceptable”. “When will Trump and Rubio DO SOMETHING?” he asked in a post on X, urging the administration to take action against those responsible. Congressman Ro Khanna said Israeli settlers operate with impunity and called for an end to US assistance. “We need to cut off aid to Israel that is used to fund settler activity, and stop the sales of these weapons,” he wrote on X. He recalled his own experience from July, when he and a New York Times photographer were detained by settlers in Khirbet Zanuta, saying that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called him a liar at the time. “Netanyahu, you are the liar with the blood of Palestinian children on your hands,” Khanna said. Israeli settlers beat Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine. She said attackers picked her up, then threw her down again and kept kicking. They operate with impunity. We need to cut off aid to Israel that is used to fund settler activity, and stop the sales of these weapons. — Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) October 16, 2026