Israeli settler charged for killing Palestinian activist in West Bank

Israel’s prosecutors have charged a settler, Yinon Levy, over the July 2025 shooting that killed Palestinian activist Odeh Hathaleen, who had contributed to the Oscar‑winning documentary No Other Land.

Levy faces charges of reckless manslaughter, armed trespassing and malicious property damage. According to the Southern District Prosecutor’s Office, Levy fired a gun at residents in Umm al‑Khair village, hitting Hathaleen, and then fired another shot into the air. His lawyer denies the accusation, arguing the incident was an act of self‑defence.

Human‑rights group B’Tselem says this is the first time an Israeli has been indicted for killing a Palestinian in the West Bank in almost three years, and it could signal a turning point in settler accountability. The indictment follows a surge in settler violence after the 2023 Gaza war, which has left over 1,100 Palestinians dead, according to the United Nations.

Levy previously faced UK sanctions in 2024 for violent actions against Palestinian communities. He was also cited by the US, only to have those sanctions later lifted. B’Tselem’s statement claims that settler impunity has become part of a policy designed to perpetuate violence.

Hathaleen was a teacher and father of three, known for his outspoken opposition to settler aggression. His death underscores the risks faced by those who speak out.

For more context, view the BBC coverage of the documentary No Other Land and related reporting on settler violence in the West Bank.