Israel Charges Settler With Killing Palestinian Activist

Israeli prosecutors have charged settler Yinon Levi with reckless manslaughter for the killing of Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen during a land dispute in July 2025. The indictment, filed in Beersheba District Court, also includes charges of armed trespassing and malicious property damage, marking the first such case since October 7, 2023.

The incident occurred in the West Bank village of Umm al-Khair when settlers brought excavators into the area to level land for a new outpost. According to multiple reports, Levi instructed an excavator driver to clear a route across private Palestinian-owned land, damaging crops and a fence. This action sparked a confrontation with residents, during which video evidence shows Levi firing shots toward the crowd. One of these shots struck Hathaleen, who was standing 20 meters away documenting the scene.

Hathaleen, a prominent community leader and teacher, was involved in the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land. He often hosted international activists and visitors in his home. Levi's lawyer has called the charges mistaken and stated that the defense would contest them in court. Levi has been sanctioned by the UK and EU over violence against Palestinians, though U.S. sanctions were lifted after Donald Trump returned to office.

Israeli human rights group B'Tselem noted that this is the first indictment of an Israeli for killing a Palestinian in the West Bank since October 7, 2023. The group also reported that at least 1,100 Palestinians have been killed by settlers and soldiers in the West Bank since then. The Guardian added that 18 Palestinians have been killed in settler attacks so far this year, compared to 17 in all of 2025.

The indictment comes amid a surge in settler violence, with attacks averaging 190 per month in 2026. The case has drawn attention due to the rarity of such charges and the prominent role Hathaleen played in advocating against settler violence.