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Israeli Settler Charged in Death of Activist Awdah Hathaleen
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- An Israeli settler, Yinon Levi, has been charged with reckless manslaughter for the killing of Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen in the West Bank, marking a rare indictment of an Israeli accused of violence against Palestinians.
- Hathaleen, featured in the Oscar-winning documentary “No Other Land,” was shot dead in June 2025 in Umm al-Khair, near Hebron, with Levi accused of firing recklessly toward an area with people, including children.
- Levi responded to the indictment by claiming he believed his life was at risk and described the charges as “unreasonable” and “de facto support for terrorism.”
- The killing highlighted the surge in deadly settler violence in the West Bank following the Hamas attack on southern Israel in October 2023.
- Hathaleen’s family expressed relief at the indictment but criticized the decision not to pursue more severe charges, noting that manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of 12 years.
