Israel charges settler over killing of Palestinian involved in Oscar-winning West Bank film
Israeli prosecutors have charged a settler with reckless manslaughter for the 2025 shooting death of a Palestinian activist in the West Bank. This marks a rare indictment for settler violence, which has seen a significant increase since the October 2023 conflict began.
Why it matters
The case highlights ongoing tensions in the West Bank and the rare legal accountability for settler violence against Palestinians.
Image source, @Kivsa_shchora/Masafering Image caption, Odeh Hathaleen was shot in Umm Al-Khair village in the occupied West Bank
Israeli prosecutors have charged a settler over the killing of a Palestinian activist in the occupied West Bank who helped film Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land.
Yinon Levy was charged with reckless manslaughter over the July 2025 shooting of Odeh Hathaleen, according to Israel's Southern District Prosecutor's Office.
Israeli rights group B'Tselem said it was the first time an Israeli had been indicted for killing a Palestinian in the West Bank for nearly three years.
A lawyer for Hathaleen's family said they hoped the charges marked a "turning point" in the consequences settlers face for violence against Palestinians.
In a letter seen by The Associated Press, Levy said he would fight for his innocence in court.
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