LONDON: Awdah Hathaleen, a Palestinian teacher, activist and journalist who contributed to the Oscar-winning documentary “No Other Land,” was shot and killed on Monday during a raid by Israeli settlers in the South Hebron Hills, according to local media reports.
The 31-year-old was fatally wounded during clashes in the village of Umm Al-Khair, where a group of Palestinians had reportedly been confronting settlers. Israeli media identified one of the settlers as Yinon Levi, a far-right extremist who had previously been sanctioned by the Biden administration — measures later lifted under US President Donald Trump — though he remains blacklisted by Canada, the UK, and the EU.
Witnesses and reports say Levi allegedly opened fire toward a group of Palestinians near the Carmel settlement, hitting Hathaleen in the upper body. He was rushed to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, where he died hours later.
Two other Palestinians were reportedly injured. Emergency responders from the Palestinian Red Crescent and Israel’s Magen David Adom were dispatched to the scene.
Israeli police said an Israeli citizen involved in the shooting had been arrested and the incident was under investigation. However, some reports suggested Levi was questioned but not charged. Four Palestinians and two foreign tourists were also detained by Israeli forces, according to a police statement.
Odeh just died. Murdered.
— Yuval Abraham יובל אברהם (@yuval_abraham)
Footage circulating online appears to show Levi brandishing a handgun and firing into the air, with a bulldozer in the background. Another video shows Palestinians attempting to block the bulldozer, disputing early claims that Levi was engaged in authorized construction. Activists say the machinery had crossed into privately owned Palestinian land.
Hathaleen was a frequent contributor to the Israeli magazine +972 and was known for his activism against settler violence and land seizures. He had recently been invited to the US for an interfaith speaking tour organized by the Kehilla Community Synagogue, but was detained and deported along with his cousin Eid upon arrival at San Francisco International Airport, despite holding valid visas.
“Just last month, I joined my Bay Area colleagues in demanding answers after Awdah and his cousin, both holding valid visas, were unjustly detained and deported from SFO,” said US Congresswoman Lateefah Simon in a statement. “The settler who killed Awdah must be held accountable. We cannot and will not support violence. No one should live under the threat of demolition, displacement or death.”
Israeli settlers have murdered our beloved hero, Awdah Hathaleen, from the Um Al-Khair community in Masafer Yatta.
Awdah stood with dignity and courage against oppression.
His loss is a deep wound to our hearts and our struggle for justice.
May he rest in peace.
We will never…— Issa Amro عيسى عمرو (@Issaamro)
Tributes poured in following news of his death. “Awdah stood with dignity and courage against oppression,” said Hebron-based activist Issa Amro. “His loss is a deep wound to our hearts and our struggle for justice.”
“No Other Land” co-director, lawyer and journalist Basel Adra, said he “could hardly believe” the news. “My dear friend Awdah was slaughtered this evening. This is how Israel erases us — one life at a time.”
The film “No Other Land,” which documents Palestinian displacement in the occupied West Bank, won the Best Documentary award at this year’s Berlinale and later received an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
About three million Palestinians live in the West Bank alongside nearly half a million Israelis living in settlements, which are considered illegal under international law.
At least 962 Palestinians, including many fighters but also many civilians, have been killed by Israeli soldiers or settlers in the West Bank since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023.
At least 36 Israelis, including civilians and soldiers, have been killed there in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations, according to official Israeli data.
