Newly surfaced video footage indicates the fatal shooting of a Palestinian activist by an Israeli settler during a clash involving unarmed Palestinians in the occupied West Bank last month. The video, obtained by Israeli human rights group B’Tselem from the family of Awdah Hathaleen, 31, portrays the moment when he was shot and killed on July 28. The footage captures Israeli settler Yinon Levi discharging a firearm towards the person recording, with the camera continuing to roll as the individual expresses agony.
Levi, captured firing his gun in a separate video authenticated by CBC News, was briefly apprehended and later released from house arrest by an Israeli court due to insufficient evidence. The incident unfolded in Umm al-Khair, a village frequently targeted by settler violence, showcased in the award-winning documentary “No Other Land,” which Hathaleen contributed to.
Amid escalating tensions during the Israel-Hamas conflict since October 2023, instances of settler attacks on Palestinians have surged, alongside retaliatory actions by Palestinian militants. B’Tselem’s international outreach director, Sarit Michaeli, condemned Hathaleen’s killing as emblematic of the vulnerability faced by Palestinians to Israeli aggression without adequate protection.
Levi, identified as one of four Israeli settlers sanctioned by the Canadian government for assaults on Palestinian civilians and property, maintains his actions were in self-defense. Despite witnesses alleging Levi’s involvement in Hathaleen’s shooting, a court ruling favored his release from house arrest, though restrictions were imposed on his interactions with the villagers.
The footage depicts Levi engaging in a heated exchange with Palestinians before firing his gun in the direction of the videographer, resulting in Hathaleen being fatally wounded at a distance from the altercation. The victim’s family lawyer, Eitan Peleg, disclosed that Hathaleen had filmed the incident on his phone, with calls for a thorough investigation into Levi’s potential involvement in more severe offenses.
Levi’s role in establishing a settler outpost near Umm al-Khair, reportedly a hub for aggressive settlers displacing Palestinians, has drawn scrutiny, with critics accusing Israeli authorities of overlooking settler violence. Following Hathaleen’s death, protests and memorials have sprung up worldwide, honoring his advocacy against settler aggression and his contributions to shedding light on Palestinian struggles.