Israeli Settler Charged for Killing Palestinian Activist in West Bank Shooting
Israeli prosecutors have indicted settler Yinon Levy for the July 2025 shooting that killed Palestinian activist Odeh Hathaleen in Umm al‑Khair, a village in the occupied West Bank. The charge is a reckless manslaughter indictment, part of a broader effort to hold settlers accountable after a rise in violence following the 2023 Hamas‑led attack on southern Israel.
According to the Southern District Prosecutor’s Office, Levy fired a gun at residents during a confrontation with Palestinian villagers, striking Hathaleen and later shooting into the air. Footage of the incident went viral, and the indictment includes armed trespassing and malicious property damage.
This is the first time an Israeli has been charged for killing a Palestinian in the West Bank in nearly three years, B’Tselem said. The organization called the indictment “an exception that proves the rule,” arguing that impunity fuels continued violence.
Levy, a leader of a settler farm outpost, denies firing the fatal shot and has vowed to defend his innocence in court. He claims prosecutors are penalising acts of self‑defence and accuse the state of “de‑facto support for terrorism.”
A lawyer for Hathaleen’s family sees the case as a symbolic turning point, hoping it signals stronger repercussions for settler aggression. The indictment has drawn praise from activists, including Mattan Berner‑Kadish, who said it signals a possible shift toward justice.
Hathaleen was a teacher and father who spoke out against settler violence. He was featured in the 2025 Oscar‑winning documentary No Other Land, which chronicles legal battles over the Israeli government’s policy toward Masafer Yatta. The film sheds light on the widespread displacement of Palestinian communities.
Levy has faced international scrutiny; he was sanctioned by the UK in 2024 for forcing displacement of Palestinian families, and the U.S. imposed sanctions during the Biden administration that were later lifted by President Trump.
Additional reporting by Mallory Moench.
