Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, October 17, 2026
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Herzog apologizes to photographer beaten by settlers, says he was ‘morally tormented’ by thoughts of attack
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President Isaac Herzog arrives in Baku, Azerbaijan, October 14, 2026. (Maayan Toaf / GPO)
President Issac Herzog speaks to the Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine, who was beaten by settlers yesterday in the West Bank, saying he condemns the “outrageous and shocking” violence.
“I was morally tormented during Shabbat when I thought about it, and I express deep sorrow and apologize for what you went through,” the president told Levine in a phone call, according to a readout by his office.
“The despicable behavior of these criminals does not represent the citizens and values of the State of Israel,” he told the photographer, the readout says.
The president urged law enforcement to investigate and prosecute those responsible.
More from today’s Liveblog:
- Lapid says he doesn’t trust Netanyahu not to launch Iran strike that could disrupt elections
- Netanyahu’s office on Taybeh attack: It’s too early to draw conclusions, especially amid smear campaign against settlers
- French mayor attacked by settlers says incident proves government tolerance for violence
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