Huckabee demands Israel prosecute 'act of terror' beating of Washington Post photographer

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has demanded Israel prosecute and jail those responsible for the beating of Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine in the occupied West Bank.

“Attacking a female photographer is a despicable act of terror carried out by masked cowards,” Huckabee wrote on X on Saturday. “Details of who under investigation, but those who attacked unarmed reporter should spend (years) in prison,” he added. “We have called for a full investigation, arrest, and prosecution to the fullest extent of the law to whoever participated in this.” (Al Jazeera, Arab News)

That tone sharply escalates on the State Department’s cautious Friday statement, which condemned only “criminal violence by any party.” Huckabee did not name the culprits, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested on Friday that Palestinians or “far-left” activists may have been responsible — as Netanyahu courts his pro-settlement base ahead of closely fought October 27 elections. (Manila Times, TRT World)

Witnesses say Israeli settlers beat Levine and stole her passport, phone, wallet and camera equipment. Levine, 64, a veteran Washington Post photographer, was attacked Friday while covering the annual olive harvest in Abu Falah, northeast of Ramallah, suffering a broken rib and multiple broken vertebrae. She underwent surgery on a nearly detached finger, and was listed in moderate condition on Saturday, her daughter told The Associated Press. (Al Jazeera)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday the US was “very disturbed” by footage of the assault and urged Israel to “crack down” on violence there. (TRT World)

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