Palestinian activist who worked on Oscar-winning film shot dead by Israeli settler in West Bank
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Middle East Eye
5 days ago
- Middle East Eye
Israeli settler accused of killing No Other Land activist released under house arrest
An Israeli court has released to house arrest a settler suspected of killing a Palestinian activist in the occupied West Bank on Monday. Yinon Levi, a settler sanctioned by the US for violent attacks against Palestinians, is facing charges of manslaughter and unlawful use of a firearm in connection with the death of Awdah Hathaleen. Hathaleen, 31, was an English teacher and a peaceful anti-settlement activist. He also worked on the production team of the Academy Award-winning documentary No Other Land. The Magistrate's Court declined to keep Levi in custody, despite video evidence showing him firing at an unarmed Palestinian crowd in the hamlet of Umm al-Khair, in Masafer Yatta near Hebron, where Hathaleen was killed. The court's decision was not challenged by the police, who are investigating Levi for Hathaleen's killing. The police also made the unusual decision to allow the suspect to meet with his family prior to the hearing, according to Haaretz. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Meanwhile, four unarmed Palestinians arrested during Monday's confrontation, which led to Hathaleen's death, are due to appear before a military court on Thursday, where authorities will seek to extend their detention. They are suspected of stone-throwing and property damage. Two foreign activists detained at the scene are also facing deportation. Additionally, Israeli forces arrested eight Palestinians from Umm al-Khair on Wednesday, including the head of the village. Palestinian activist who worked on Oscar-winning film 'No Other Land' killed in occupied West Bank Read More » Hathaleen was killed after he confronted a group of settlers during the demolition of Palestinian property. In a recorded video of the incident, Levi is seen brandishing a gun and shooting at Palestinians behind the camera. While it is unclear who filmed the footage, several Palestinians were in the vicinity. After Levi begins shooting at targets off-camera, others in the background start screaming inaudibly in Arabic. One man runs into view and shouts to the crowd: "For God's sake, get back" - seemingly attempting to de-escalate the situation. Behind Levi, an active bulldozer can be seen – a clear indication of what appears to be another demolition of Palestinian property by Israelis to make way for further settlement expansion. Such demolitions and settlements are illegal under international law. An illegal Israeli settler shot and critically wounded Odeh Hadalin, a prominent Palestinian activist featured in the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, in Masafer Yatta, in the occupied West Bank. Odeh was rushed to hospital and later died, according to his friends.… — Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) July 28, 2025 Levi has previously been sanctioned by several countries, including the US, for his violent attacks on Palestinians and their property. The Trump administration lifted those Biden-era sanctions earlier this year. He has been featured in multiple news reports documenting the impact of sanctions on Israeli settlers. While settler violence is not a new phenomenon in the occupied West Bank, attacks have spiked since the start of Israel's war on Gaza in October 2023. More than 700,000 settlers live in over 200 settlements across the West Bank - all in violation of international law. Restrictions on graves Following his killing, Hathaleen's body was taken by Israeli police for an autopsy. On Tuesday, officials informed Hathaleen's family that he would not be allowed to be buried in his home village of Umm al-Khair. According to +972 Magazine, the Israeli army is likely enforcing a ban on all Palestinian construction in the village - including the placement of gravestones. Mourners were also prevented from holding a public gathering. Israeli troops forced family and friends to dismantle mourning tents that had been set up at the village's community centre to honour the late activist. Hathaleen is survived by his wife, Hanady, and their three children, all under the age of 10. He was an English teacher, writer and a footballer who played for the local club in Masafer Yatta. Friends and colleagues described him as a devoted father and committed peace activist. In a tribute posted on X, the US-based group Jewish Voice for Peace said: "To know Awdah Hathaleen is to love him. "Awda has always been a pillar among his family, his village, and the wider international community of activists who had the pleasure to meet him."
Middle East Eye
6 days ago
- Middle East Eye
Israeli military arrests eight in Masafer Yatta overnight after Israeli settler killing of Palestinian activist
Eight residents of the Palestinian hamlet of Umm al-Kheir in Masafer Yatta, in the occupied West Bank, were arrested overnight after an Israeli settler killed activist Awdah Hathaleen on Monday, The Times of Israel reported. According to Peace Now, the village head was among those detained when the military entered the hamlet at around 4.30am on Wednesday. Hathaleen was part of the Oscar-winning No Other Land film crew. Yinon Levi, the settler sanctioned by the US and other countries, was placed under house arrest on Tuesday. A video shared on Instagram on Monday by the co-director of No Other Land showed Levi firing indiscriminately at Palestinians in Umm al-Kheir. Four men arrested for throwing stones at Levi's bulldozer remain in Israeli detention.
Middle East Eye
6 days ago
- Middle East Eye
Israeli authorities have not returned his 'No Other Land" crew member and activist's body
The body of Awdah Hathaleen, who was part of the Oscar-winning No Other Land film crew, has not been released to his family for burial after he was fatally shot by Israeli settler Yinon Levi on Monday, Al Jazeera reported. The father-of-three was taken away by an ambulance from the illegal settlement of Carmel on Monday, and later died in hospital. Israeli authorities have refused to release his body so that he can be laid to rest as soon as possible, a rite that is part of Islamic burial practices. The English teacher and renowned activist was taken by an ambulance from the illegal settlement of Carmel after he was shot on Monday evening. Haaretz reported on Tuesday that the Israeli military is not permitting Hathaleen to be buried in Umm al-Kheir, the village he was shot and lived in. Israeli police disrupted a gathering of people who had come to mourn him, including members of his family on Tuesday.
