U.S. ambassador to Israel calls for "arrest and prosecution" of Heidi Levine's West Bank settler attackers

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   US Ambassador Demands Prosecution of Settlers Who Attacked Heidi Levine

   US Ambassador Mike Huckabee is calling for the arrest and prosecution of masked settlers who badly beat Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine in the West Bank. Huckabee described the attack as "despicable" and urged that those responsible be prosecuted "to the fullest extent of the law." Separately, Secretary of State Rubio has urged Israel to "crack down" on settler violence. Levine, 63, is currently recovering in an Israeli hospital. The incident occurred amid a surge of settler violence that has also targeted Palestinians and European diplomats.

   Why it matters

   The attack on Levine is part of a wider pattern of violence in the West Bank involving masked militants. Recent targets include European diplomats and a French mayor. These incidents have strained diplomatic relations and led to calls for increased Israeli security intervention.

   What is confirmed

   • US Ambassador Mike Huckabee called for the arrest and prosecution of those who attacked Heidi Levine.
   • Heidi Levine is a 63-year-old Washington Post photographer recovering in an Israeli hospital.
   • Masked settlers attacked European diplomats in the West Bank.
   • Secretary of State Rubio urged Israel to crack down on settler violence.
   • The attack on the Washington Post photographer occurred one day before the attack on European diplomats.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cast doubt on the attacks.
   • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stopped short of directly condemning the assailants.

   What to watch next

   • Israeli police reports on arrests or identities of the masked settlers
   • Official response from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the US demands
   • Findings from the investigation into the attack on the French mayor
   Sources used for this update (20)

   1. www.jta.org — Masked settlers injure Washington Post photographer ...
   2. Reuters — Israeli settlers attack Palestinians, European diplomats in West Bank, Belgium says
   3. The New York Times — Israeli Settlers Attack Palestinians and Diplomats in West Bank
   4. The Washington Post — European diplomats attacked in West Bank a day after beating of Post photographer
   5. Al Jazeera — US ambassador urges Israel to prosecute attackers of American journalist
   6. Reuters — US wants Israel to 'crack down' on settler violence in West Bank, Rubio says
   7. NBC News — Masked settlers attack European diplomats in the occupied West Bank
   8. AP News — US ambassador to Israel condemns settler attack on US journalist, and other Mideast news
   9. CBS News — U.S. ambassador to Israel calls for "arrest and prosecution" of Heidi Levine's West Bank settler attackers
   10. The Guardian — US ambassador to Israel denounces West Bank settler attack on US photojournalist
   11. The Hill — Photographer attacked by settlers in the West Bank feels insulted by Netanyahu
   12. The New York Times — U.S. Officials Condemn West Bank Attacks as Netanyahu Casts Doubt on Them
   confidence 95%