Israeli settler charged over killing of Palestinian activist in West Bank

Umm al-Khair, West Bank. Israeli prosecutors on Thursday charged Jewish settler Yinon Levi with reckless manslaughter over the killing of Palestinian community leader Owdeh Hathaleen in July 2025.

The indictment is the first against a settler in connection with a Palestinian’s death in nearly three years, according to the State Attorney’s office.

Indictment details

The State Attorney’s office charged Levi with reckless manslaughter in the death of Hathaleen, an activist involved in the 2025 Oscar-winning documentary “No Other Land”.

Levi also faces charges of armed trespassing and malicious property damage in connection with an incident in which settlers operated a large excavator in the Palestinian village of Umm al-Khair, prompting a confrontation with residents.

Hathaleen filmed the moment he was shot during the confrontation. Footage released by Israeli rights group B’Tselem shows Levi draw a weapon and fire in Hathaleen’s direction. Hathaleen can then be heard moaning as he falls to the ground.

Levi, who has been sanctioned by Britain and the European Union over violence against Palestinians, has previously denied firing the shot that killed Hathaleen. Reuters was unable to reach his lawyer for comment.

Settler violence

B’Tselem said the indictment was the first since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, which were followed by Israel’s military assault in Gaza and a sharp rise in settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

Israeli soldiers and settlers have killed at least 1,100 Palestinians, including at least 240 children, during that period, according to United Nations data.

“The decision to indict Yinon Levi is the exception that proves the rule,” B’Tselem said, adding that impunity for soldiers and settlers who harm Palestinians was “a central component of a policy designed to allow the violence to continue and escalate”.

Israel’s military says it investigates alleged wrongdoing by its soldiers and that it and Israeli police take steps to address settler violence.

West Bank context

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis live in settlements among millions of Palestinians in territory Israel captured in the 1967 war. Palestinians seek the land as the core of a future independent state.