Sanctioned West Bank settler kills Palestinian activist featured in 'No Other Land'

Yahoo

2 days ago

Awdah Hathaleen was allegedly shot by Yinon Levi, an extremist sanctioned by the Biden administration, the UK and Canada.
Awdah Hathaleen, a Palestinian activist featured in the Oscar-nominated documentary No Other Land, was reportedly killed during clashes with settlers in the village of Umm al-Khair in the West Bank, according to US, Israeli officials, and international organizations.
Hathaleen was allegedly shot by Yinon Levi, an extremist previously sanctioned by the Biden administration, the UK and Canada, according to Israeli media reports. Ynet reported that Levi was carrying out construction, and he claimed rioters began throwing stones at him.
A judge from the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court ordered Levi to be released from police custody and placed under house arrest, Army Radio reported.
Footage published on social media showed protesters blocking bulldozers that had allegedly crossed onto privately owned land.
Two additional Palestinians were wounded during the clashes, according to international media. Israel Police confirmed they arrested an Israeli citizen at the scene, and the IDF arrested four Palestinians and two international tourists.
Eliram Azulai, head of the Mount Hebron Regional Council said following the reports, "We warned and demanded the creation of security spaces around the settlements, and today we saw with our own eyes the danger that illegal construction creates in the area. I demand that the enforcement authorities eradicate this dangerous phenomenon and take immediate action to enforce illegal construction around the settlements and roads for the safety of our residents."
The Carmel yeshuv spokeswoman added, "The settlement will not accept a reality in which a Jew is attacked! Certainly not within the settlement area! The incident here could have ended in the murder of a Jew if he had not defended himself. We call on the enforcement authorities to wake up and immediately remove any illegal construction that closes off the Carmel settlement and endangers lives."
International mourning for Awdah Hathaleen
While sharing a video of the murder, MK Gilad Kariv slammed National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, alleging his actions had emboldened extremists.
"Ben Gvir has paralyzed the police. Katz has blocked the Shin Bet's operations. The army continues to turn a blind eye. In the territories, armedJewish militias operate unchecked," Kariv wrote on X. "The bloodshed is already a terrible disaster and demands action, but let no one be under any illusion—this will not stop at the Green Line."
California Congresswoman Rep. Lateefah Simon shared her heartbreak at the news of the murder of the father of three, adding that she had demanded answers from the Trump administration on why Hathaleen was "detained and deported" with his cousin despite holding valid visas.
She asserted the need for accountability.
Left-wing US-based NGO J Street also released a statement mourning Hathaleen, writing that they were both "heartbroken and horrified" by his murder.
J Street wrote that Hathaleen had been a partner of the organization and announced that they would be backing the proposed West Bank Violence Prevention Act in response to the growing number of settler attacks.
+972 Magazine also mourned his death, noting his contributions to both the outlet and local education. He taught English after receiving his degree from the University of Hebron.
No Other Land
For months, the international film community has rallied behind a documentary about the Israeli military's destruction of a Palestinian village in the West Bank that has failed to land a US distributor despite widespread acclaim. Two of the film's four nominated directors are Palestinians who live in the West Bank.
Now, 'No Other Land' has another feather in its cap. The movie, co-directed by an Israeli-Palestinian filmmaking collective, received an Oscar nomination for best documentary — a rare feat for an undistributed film.
Andrew Lapin/JTA contributed to this report.
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