What we know
What we know: Israeli prosecutors charge settler with killing Palestinian activist in rare indictment
Compiled Aug 6
What we know
- Israeli prosecutors charged settler Yinon Levi with reckless manslaughter in the death of Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen in July 2025 in the West Bank.
- This is the first time since Oct. 7, 2023, that an Israeli has been indicted for killing a Palestinian in the West Bank, according to B'Tselem.
- Levi is also charged with armed trespassing and malicious property damage.
- Hathaleen was a prominent community leader who advocated against settler violence and was involved in the Oscar-winning film 'No Other Land.'
- Video footage shows Levi firing shots toward buildings and a group of Palestinians, including one shot that struck Hathaleen 20 meters away.
- Levi was sanctioned by the U.S. and other Western countries in 2024 over allegations of violence toward Palestinians; Trump lifted the U.S. sanctions after taking office.
What we don’t know yet
- Levi says he will fight the charges in court, claiming self-defense and denying wrongdoing.
- Levi's lawyer called the prosecution's decision to indict 'mistaken' and said the defense would respond in court.
- A prosecutors' spokesperson said a meeting to formally read Levi the charges has not yet occurred but will be scheduled in coming weeks.
- Levi is not currently under arrest, according to the prosecutors' office.
Open questions
- Will Levi be convicted given his claim of self-defense?
- What evidence will the defense present to counter the video footage?
- Will this indictment lead to more prosecutions of settlers, as the family's lawyer hopes?
- What will happen at the upcoming meeting where charges will be formally read to Levi?
Drawn from the Associated Press report. “What we don’t know” lists only what the reporting itself flags as unresolved.