Activist Behind Oscar-Winning Film Killed in West Bank

A Tragic Incident in the West Bank

A prominent Palestinian activist, Odeh Hathalin, was tragically killed during an attack by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. Hathalin, who had worked as a consultant on the Oscar-winning documentary “No Other Land,” was shot in the village of Umm al-Khair, part of the Masafer Yatta community. The incident has sparked widespread concern and condemnation.

Yinon Levi, an Israeli settler, was arrested at the scene but later released on house arrest. His lawyer stated that Levi was taken into custody for questioning due to reckless conduct and unlawful use of a firearm. According to Israeli police, an Israeli citizen was detained for these reasons. The details surrounding the incident remain under investigation.

The shooting was first reported by Yuval Abraham, an Israeli investigative journalist and co-director of “No Other Land.” A video shared by Abraham on X showed Levi firing a gun multiple times while confronting Palestinian villagers. The footage, geolocated to the site of the incident, captured the tense confrontation. In the video, Levi is seen standing in front of a bulldozer, grappling with a villager and pushing away the man filming him. He then begins to fire into the air and towards the group of Palestinians, causing them to flee.

Another video obtained by DISCOVER TREND showed a man believed to be Hathalin bleeding on the ground. The Palestinian health ministry confirmed his death from the injuries sustained.

Levi had previously been sanctioned by the Biden administration and the European Union. However, his name was removed from the US sanctions list after President Donald Trump took office. In April 2024, the US Department of Treasury stated that Levi “regularly led groups of violent extremists” and engaged in actions that created fear in the West Bank. These groups were accused of assaulting Palestinian civilians, threatening them with additional violence, burning their fields, and destroying their property.

Violence in the West Bank has increased significantly since the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023. According to the United Nations, at least 964 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as of July 15th.

Settlers often wield significant influence in Israeli politics, and when they are arrested for violent attacks against Palestinians, they are frequently released without charge. Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank are considered illegal under international law.

Alaa al-Hathalin, Hathalin’s cousin, described how Levi, known to the community for his aggressive behavior, attacked the villagers. Al-Hathalin recounted that Levi came with a gun and began shooting, resulting in his cousin's death. Hathalin had three sons, aged 5, 3, and seven months.

Levi’s lawyer, Avichai Hajbi, criticized the police for arresting his client, claiming that the investigating unit admitted the shooting occurred due to a life-threatening situation. Hajbi stated that his client was attacked by a mob throwing stones, endangering his life and that of others.

Police petitioned a local court to extend Levi’s time under arrest, citing that the incident involved a large number of rioters throwing stones. They argued that the respondent’s continued detention was necessary to prevent obstruction of justice. However, the court denied the extension.

Ofer Cassif, a left-wing member of Israel’s parliament, has called for an investigation into Hathalin’s death. He criticized the lack of legal consequences for the incident, stating it reflects the paralysis of law enforcement and the sense of immunity enjoyed by violent settlers.

Basel Adra, a Palestinian journalist and co-director of “No Other Land,” shared his grief over the loss of his friend. He described how Hathalin stood in front of the settler in his village when he was shot. Adra expressed the pain of losing someone who was committed to fighting for his community.

Last month, Hathalin was detained at San Francisco International Airport upon arrival and deported after his visa was revoked. He had been invited to visit a California synagogue as part of an interfaith speaking tour.

DISCOVER TREND reported in March that another co-director of “No Other Land,” Hamdan Ballal, had also been targeted by settlers outside his home in Susya. Ballal, who had recently returned from Los Angeles to accept an Oscar for the film, feared for his life during the encounter.

“No Other Land,” which documented the destruction of the Masafer Yatta community between 2019 and 2023, won Best Documentary Feature Film at the 2024 Oscars. Its final scene shows Adra’s cousin, Zakara al-Adra, being shot by an Israeli settler in October 2023.

This article has been updated with new reporting. For more DISCOVER TREND news and newsletters, create an account at DISCOVER TREND.