Israel charges settler over killing of Palestinian involved in Oscar-winning West Bank film

Israeli prosecutors have charged a settler with reckless manslaughter after the July 2025 shooting of a Palestinian activist who played a key role in producing an Oscar-winning documentary. Yinon Levy, a resident of an Israeli settlement, faces charges related to the fatal shooting of Odeh Hathaleen, a teacher and father of three known for opposing settler violence in the West Bank. According to the Southern District Prosecutor’s Office, Levy was charged with reckless manslaughter following the incident in the village of Umm al-Khair, where settlers used an excavator in a dispute with local residents. The indictment marks the first time an Israeli has been indicted for killing a Palestinian in the West Bank in nearly three years, according to the Israeli human rights organisation B’Tselem. The incident unfolded during a confrontation between settlers and residents of Umm al-Khair. Prosecutors allege that Levy cocked his gun and fired toward the crowd, striking Hathaleen. He later fired another shot into the air. Footage of the event circulated widely online, though Levy has consistently denied firing the lethal shot. His lawyer, Avichai Hajbi, called the charges a “mistaken decision,” arguing that the prosecution failed to consider acts of self-defense. In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Levy claimed that the authorities were unfairly targeting him and accused them of supporting terrorism. He insisted that his actions were justified under the circumstances. The case comes amid heightened tensions in the West Bank following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in October 2023, which sparked the Gaza conflict and saw a surge in settler violence. According to the United Nations, at least 1,110 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers in the West Bank since then, while 41 Israelis have been killed by Palestinian armed groups or civilians during the same period. B’Tselem described the indictment of Levy as an exception to a broader pattern of impunity for those responsible for violence against Palestinians. The organisation stated that this leniency is not a systemic failure but a deliberate policy that enables continued escalation of hostilities. Odeh Hathaleen was a vocal critic of settler encroachment and played a central role in the production of the 2025 Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land. The film documents the struggle of the Masafer Yatta community, a group of approximately 20 villages facing displacement due to Israeli government policies. In 2022, Israel’s Supreme Court approved the demolition of homes and the forced relocation of over 1,000 residents. Hathaleen’s activism made him a target of settler hostility, and his death has drawn widespread condemnation. Yinon Levy, a leader of an outpost farm, has faced international scrutiny for his involvement in violent activities. In 2024, he was sanctioned by the UK government for using physical aggression, threatening families at gunpoint, and destroying property as part of efforts to displace Palestinian communities. He denied these allegations to the BBC. Similarly, the United States imposed sanctions on him under the Biden administration, although they were later revoked under President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities continue to expand settlement infrastructure. On 6 August 2026, the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission announced a tender for the construction of 627 housing units in the Kochav Yaakov settlement, located in the Ramallah and Al-Bireh Governorate. The project covers 253.7 dunums (approximately 62.69 acres) and includes plans for residential, industrial, and commercial developments. This initiative reflects ongoing efforts to solidify Israeli control over disputed territories, despite growing international criticism.