Israeli prosecutors have charged a Jewish settler with reckless manslaughter in the killing of a prominent Palestinian activist in the occupied West Bank, marking the first such indictment of a settler in a Palestinian's death in nearly three years.
The indictment, filed by the State Attorney's office, names Yinon Levi as the accused in the death of Owdeh Hathaleen, an activist featured in the Oscar-winning documentary "No Other Land." The charges stem from a July 2025 incident in the Palestinian village of Umm al-Khair, where settlers reportedly operated a large excavator, leading to a confrontation with residents. Hathaleen filmed the moments leading up to his shooting during this encounter. Footage released by the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem appears to show Levi drawing a weapon and firing in Hathaleen's direction.
Levi, who has been sanctioned by the United Kingdom and the European Union for alleged violence against Palestinians, has previously denied being the one who fired the fatal shot. His legal representation could not be reached for comment.
The indictment is considered a rare occurrence, particularly since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks and the subsequent Israeli military operation in Gaza. B'Tselem noted a significant increase in settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank during this period, stating that Israeli soldiers and settlers have killed at least 1,100 Palestinians, including 240 children, according to United Nations data.
B'Tselem described the indictment as an exception that highlights a broader pattern of impunity granted to Israeli soldiers and settlers who harm Palestinians, characterizing it as a deliberate policy component enabling continued and escalated violence. Israel's military maintains that it investigates instances of misconduct by its soldiers and that authorities take action against settler violence.
The issue of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, land captured in the 1967 war, remains a contentious point. While Israel disputes their illegality and asserts historical Jewish presence, UN bodies, Palestinians, and most of the international community consider the settlements illegal under international law and a significant impediment to peace. United Nations figures indicate that 18 Palestinians have been killed in settler-related attacks this year, a figure nearing the total of 17 recorded for the entirety of 2025.
