stitches. There was nothing new from police on the case, she said.

U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, whose recent comments have condemned settler attacks on U.S. citizens but not on Palestinians overall, called the attack on Levine a  despicable act of terror carried out by masked cowards  and said they should spend years in prison.

Separately, Israeli President Isaac Herzog called Levine, and Yair Golan, a former general and leader of the opposition Democrats party, visited. Netanyahu's main rival in the elections, Gadi Eisenkot, said on X that  a handful of criminals is burning up the last shreds of legitimacy left to the state of Israel. 

Herzog was  actually very sweet,  Levine said Sunday.  Down to earth, calling them thugs, inviting me for a personal hug. He's ashamed for what happened:  These people are a stain on Israeli society.' 

She said she has not heard from Netanyahu. She did receive, however, a letter signed by over a dozen former Israeli security, intelligence and other officials, including former Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon, former Mossad director Tamir Pardo and former Shin Bet director Ami Ayalon.

 We are deeply ashamed that Jewish terrorists in the West Bank continue to inflict suffering on innocent Palestinians, assault those who come to their defense, and target those who document and expose their despicable conduct,  said the letter, shared with the AP.

 Their brutality brings disgrace upon Israel and the Jewish people. Such acts undermine Israel's security, its regional and international standing, and the moral fabric of our society. They represent a betrayal of everything we have devoted our lives to defending. 

The letter noted that  alas, with encouragement from the highest echelons of government,  only a fundamental change in policy can end the  disgraceful phenomenon. 

Levine says she plans to return to work

Levin told the AP that  I never wanted the story to be about me but about the people I've tried to document  over decades. She said she has sought to show how the violence is  increasing, becoming more and more dangerous. 

She has said the attackers - armed with bottles and slingshots -  were kicking me for like 10 minutes and I was trying to hold on to my cameras and my bag.  Her helmet and protective vest, which was marked  PRESS,  likely saved her from more serious injuries.

But she and others have openly wondered who will protect Palestinians. Rights groups have said few settlers are ever punished for the attacks that have surged in recent years.

 It's about time you do something, Mr. Prime Minister,  Levine said.

As for herself, she plans to return to work.

 I've invested decades of blood, sweat and tears into this,  she said.  They cracked my bones, they haven't cracked my spirit. 

Associated Press writer Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Israel, contributed to this report.