Israel charges settler over killing of Palestinian involved in Oscar-winning West Bank film

An Israeli settler, Yinon Levy, has been charged with reckless manslaughter in the July 2025 shooting death of Odeh Hathaleen in the West Bank. Prosecutors allege Levy cocked his gun and fired in the direction of residents, hitting Hathaleen, before firing another shot into the air. This indictment is the first since the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack and the subsequent Gaza war, which has seen a rise in settler violence. According to the UN, at least 1,110 Palestinians and 41 Israelis have been killed in the West Bank during this period. While some activists expressed happiness that consequences might occur, they also felt the charge should be murder. Human rights group B'Tselem described the indictment as an exception to the general impunity granted to settlers and soldiers who harm Palestinians.

Israeli prosecutors have indicted a settler, Yinon Levi, with reckless manslaughter for the July 2025 killing of Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen in the occupied West Bank. This marks the first such indictment of an Israeli in over seven years. Hathaleen, a teacher and father of three who worked on the Oscar-winning documentary "No Other Land," was killed during a confrontation when settlers brought excavators to level land for an outpost in Umm al-Khair village. Video footage reportedly shows Levi firing shots towards the crowd. The indictment also includes charges of armed trespassing and malicious property damage. Hathaleen was reportedly denied medical attention as an ambulance was blocked.

Israeli prosecutors have charged a Jewish settler, Yinon Levi, with reckless manslaughter in the death of Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen in the occupied West Bank last year. This marks the first such indictment in nearly three years. The charges stem from a July 2025 incident where settlers used an excavator in the Palestinian village of Umm al-Khair, leading to a confrontation. Hathaleen, who was involved in the documentary "No Other Land," filmed his own shooting during this event. Levi, who has previously denied firing the fatal shot, also faces charges of armed trespassing and malicious property damage. The indictment comes amid a significant rise in settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank since October 2023.

Nineteen senior Democrats have accused the Trump administration of fostering violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. In a letter to administration officials, they argue that lifting sanctions on settlers created an environment of impunity, leading to increased attacks on Palestinians and the deaths of nine US citizens since 2022. The Democrats are calling for the restoration of sanctions against extremist settlers and demand independent US investigations into the killings of Americans. They also express concern over the detention of US citizens by Israeli forces and urge the administration to use diplomatic and economic tools to end the violence and settlement expansion. The letter cites UN data showing a significant rise in settler attacks and highlights specific incidents, including those affecting American citizens.