Israeli Settler Kills Palestinian Activist Who Worked on Oscar-Winning Film

A Palestinian activist and contributor to the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, Awdah Hathaleen, was shot and killed by an Israeli settler in the occupied West Bank, according to various news reports.

Background

Hathaleen, a well-known activist in the Palestinian community, had worked on the documentary which depicts Israeli settler and soldier attacks on Palestinian residents of Masafer Yatta, a region in the West Bank. The film was co-directed by Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham and Palestinian journalist Basel Adra. The village of Masafer Yatta, where the incident transpired, was featured prominently in the film.

Incident Details

The incident occurred in the village of Umm al-Khair in Masafer Yatta. Hathaleen was allegedly shot in the chest by an Israeli settler identified as Yinon Levi, who had been previously sanctioned by the US and European Union in 2024 but was removed from the sanctions list by former US President Donald Trump. Abraham shared a video on his social channels showing Levi brandishing a gun and shooting at Palestinians behind the camera. It is unclear who shot the video, but several Palestinians were reportedly present at the time.

My dear friend Awdah was slaughtered this evening,” Adra wrote on social media.He was standing in front of the community centre in his village when a settler fired a bullet that pierced his chest and took his life,” he added.

Reactions and Implications

The incident has sparked outrage and sadness among the international community and the film directors. According to Al-Quds News, local officials and journalists confirmed the incident, and the film's directors also confirmed Hathaleen's death.

In a subsequent development, the Israeli military reportedly disrupted the funeral procession of Hathaleen, assaulting mourners, declaring the area a closed military zone, and detaining two foreign activists who were present to show solidarity with Hathaleen's family.

Current Status

At present, Levi is under arrest in relation to the shooting. The incident has drawn further attention to the ongoing conflict between Israeli settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank, a contentious issue that was the central focus of the documentary No Other Land. Hathaleen's death marks a tragic turn of events for those involved in the film and the community in which it was set.