Israel indicts settler in rare charge over Palestinian activist’s killing

Israeli prosecutors have charged a settler with reckless manslaughter in the killing of Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen, marking a rare indictment of an Israeli civilian for a Palestinian's death in the occupied West Bank. Yinon Levi faces charges including armed trespassing and malicious property damage for the July 2025 incident. Hathaleen, a 31-year-old teacher and father of three, was killed when settlers brought excavators to level land for a new outpost in the village of Umm al-Khair, leading to a confrontation.

Video evidence reportedly shows Levi firing shots toward the crowd. Investigations by Palestinian rights groups, using video and testimony, matched the fatal wound to Levi's handgun and found no Palestinians were armed, challenging his self-defense claim. The groups also reported that an ambulance attempting to reach Hathaleen was blocked by Israeli soldiers and police.

Hathaleen was known for his work on the Oscar-winning documentary "No Other Land" and for hosting foreign activists. Levi, previously sanctioned by the UK and EU for settler violence, had U.S. sanctions lifted by the Trump administration. His lawyer called the charges mistaken and vowed to contest them.

Israeli rights organization B'Tselem described the indictment as an exception, asserting that impunity for settlers and soldiers is deliberate policy. The group noted that at least 1,100 Palestinians have been killed by settlers and soldiers in the West Bank since October 2023. The indictment coincides with a significant rise in settler violence, with organized groups like the Hilltop Youth and armed settler "guard teams" reportedly driving the increase.

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the exception that proves the rule