Huckabee condemns 'despicable' attack on photojournalist Heidi Levine in West Bank, demands arrests

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Saturday night called for the investigation, arrest, and prosecution "to the fullest extent of the law" of the participants in the attack on photojournalist Heidi Levine."Attacking a female photographer is [a] despicable act of terror carried out by masked cowards. Dishonorable act of senseless violence," said Huckabee.The Israel-based Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine was wounded during a Friday altercation between extremist settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank.Footage seen by The Jerusalem Post appears to show Levine kneeling on a path in a press jacket and helmet, as colleagues run over to carry her to safety.Heidi Levine, photojournalist for @wapo suffered serious injuries from vicious & cowardly attack. Heidi is US Citizen, clear ID as journalist. Details of who under investigation, but those who attacked unarmed reporter should spend YRS in prison. We have called for a full investigation, arrest, and prosecution to the fullest extent of the law to whoever participated in this. Attacking a female photographer is despicable act of terror carried out by masked cowards. Dishonorable act of senseless violence.— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) October 17, 2026Police launched an investigation into the incident after receiving an IDF report of the West Bank clashes, according to an Israel Police spokesperson.President Herzog, Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemn violenceIsraeli President Isaac Herzog also condemned the “shocking violence” and said he had called Levine to apologize. “I expressed my deepest sorrow to Heidi and apologized for what she went through. The despicable behavior of the perpetrators of this attack does not represent the citizens or the values of the State of Israel.”Additionally, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday that recent scenes of settler violence in the West Bank are "disturbing," including images of Levine's attack.Sustained numerous injuries in assault, claims IDF did not interveneLevine, whose condition was described as moderate, sustained injuries to her limbs, according to medical information provided. Speaking to Walla, she said she had also suffered injuries to her back and a rib, describing a prolonged assault during which her cameras and personal belongings were stolen.She alleged that IDF soldiers witnessed the attack but did not intervene to protect her.According to Levine, the two sides had been relatively evenly matched before the soldiers arrived. She alleged that when the soldiers reached the scene, they fired tear gas toward the journalists and Palestinians, causing those present to disperse."At that point, they realized I was alone and decided to attack me," she recounted.According to Levine, approximately 15 rioters ran toward her, assaulted her, and stole her cameras, photography equipment, identification documents, and jewelry."They slammed me to the ground and kicked me again and again and again, while stealing everything from me," she said.Reuters contributed to this report.