Israel charges settler over killing of Palestinian activist in West Bank in rare prosecution

Israeli authorities have filed charges against Yinon Levi, an Israeli settler, for the reckless manslaughter of Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen in the West Bank. The indictment, filed on Thursday, August 6, 2026, in a district court in southern Israel, also includes charges of armed trespassing and malicious property damage. Hathaleen, a prominent community leader and activist who was involved in the 2025 Oscar-winning film "No Other Land," was killed in July 2025 in the village of Umm al-Khair.

This prosecution marks a rare legal action by Israel in cases involving violence by settlers against Palestinians. According to the Israeli rights group B'Tselem, it is the first time since October 7, 2023, that an Israeli has been indicted for killing a Palestinian in the West Bank. Reckless manslaughter under Israeli law carries a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison.

The incident reportedly involved Levi firing shots toward an area where villagers had gathered after an excavator, allegedly operated on his orders, attempted to clear an unauthorized route across private Palestinian land. Video footage is said to show Levi firing a weapon in Hathaleen's direction. His lawyer has indicated that the defense would challenge the accusations in court.