Palestinian activist killed amid rising settler violence

Awdah Al Hathaleen, a Palestinian activist and filmmaker, was killed during a clash with an Israeli settler in Umm al-Khair, a tragedy tied to a long pattern of settler violence.

Palestinian Activist Killed as Settler Violence Surges

In Umm al-Khair, 31-year-old activist and documentary filmmaker Awdah Al Hathaleen was struck by a bullet during a confrontation with a settler driving a bulldozer. The assailant, Yinon Levi, is known for attacks on Palestinians and has EU sanctions for human rights violations; he was briefly detained and released with no charges. Hathaleen died four days later, and Israeli authorities held his body for 10 days, delaying burial.

No Other Land, a documentary Hathaleen helped produce about settler violence, raised hopes that international attention would shield communities, but many say the opposite has occurred. The broader context shows rising settler attacks since 2023 and increased Israeli military and settler control in the South Hebron Hills. UN data show more than 2,000 settler attacks Jan-Jun this year, with 647 Palestinians killed in the West Bank in that period (six from settler attacks). In all of 2024, about 1,420 settler attacks were recorded and five Palestinian deaths. Activists say tactics are changing, with neighbors staying inside homes to document violence.

The killing underlines how little protection exists for communities living under occupation. Visibility through film has not shielded them and sometimes raises risk as attention travels across borders. Sanctions and arrests can feel like partial steps when political support at home remains strong. International diplomats attending mourners show concern, but practical protection remains elusive. The pattern of violence calls for accountability from authorities and concrete steps to shield witnesses and villages. The story also points to a broader shift in activist strategy, with people staying in homes overnight to bear witness and record events.

Highlights

The violence asks for more than words, it needs protection for those who bear witness.