Palestinian Activist Denied Entry at SFO Allegedly Killed by Israeli Settler in West Bank

The Tragic Death of Awdah Hattaleen

Awdah Hattaleen, a dedicated Palestinian peace activist, was recently murdered in the West Bank under allegations that an Israeli settler was involved. His death has sparked outrage and reactions from various groups that had previously supported his work. Hattaleen had been detained at San Francisco International Airport last month and denied entry into the U.S., a decision that now appears to have left him vulnerable.

The final messages he sent to fellow activists highlighted the dangerous conditions in his village, which was under attack. "We really need help. Settlers are attacking us. They are shooting between the houses. One guy got injured from the tear gas. And they are shooting by their guns now. We really need help now. We cannot even protect ourselves here. Please," he wrote. Hours later, Awdah was killed, leaving many in shock and grief.

Alice Robinson, a Bay Area Jewish activist, shared her insights on the situation. She spent last summer in the Israeli-occupied West Bank as a "protective presence" activist and had the opportunity to meet Awdah and his family. According to Robinson, the violence is not isolated. "You will see settlers coming, destroying property, attacking people. And you will often see soldiers and/or police right there behind them, protecting them. Or in some cases, even participating," she explained.

Robinson is part of the organization Jewish Voice for Peace, which co-sponsored Awdah's Bay Area interfaith speaking tour. However, upon arrival at SFO, Awdah and his colleague were detained for 24 hours and then sent back despite having valid visas. This incident raised concerns about the limitations on free speech and the treatment of activists.

San Francisco Supervisor Bilal Mahmood expressed his frustration with the situation. He noted that this case was one of the first instances where the federal government seemed to be limiting free speech through such operations. Mahmood visited SFO after Awdah’s detention, advocating for their entry into the country.

Awdah, who was 31 years old, had been a peace activist for over a decade. His work was featured in the Oscar-winning documentary "No Other Land." He leaves behind a wife and three young sons, adding to the tragedy of his loss.

Mahmood emphasized the importance of recognizing the broader implications of such events. "When peace activists that are trying to foster peace are the ones who are dying, that's when we know, if people do not recognize it already, something is extremely wrong there and how we are engaging with the conflict needs to change as well."

The Broader Implications of Awdah's Death

Yinon Levi, an Israeli settler, was detained by Israel and released on house arrest in connection with Awdah's death. Levi is among several settlers sanctioned by President Biden's administration. This highlights the ongoing issues of violence and occupation in the region.

Mohamed Shehk, representing the Arab Resource and Organizing Center (AROC), stressed that Awdah's death serves as a reminder that the Palestinian struggle extends beyond Gaza. He expressed concern about the continued censorship of Palestinian voices. "Awdah was coming here to tell his story. To talk about his experiences living under a brutal Israeli occupation. Only to be rejected from entry. Go back to Palestine, where he was murdered by the same forces, the same threats, that he was coming here to tell us about," Shehk said.

Shehk added that the censorship of Palestinian voices leads to complicity in murder, dispossession, and the continued ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people. This sentiment reflects the deep-seated frustrations within the community.

Zahra Billoo, executive director of the San Francisco Bay Area chapter of CAIR, emphasized the need for U.S. politicians to take more action in Gaza. However, she also pointed out the importance of paying attention to what is happening in the West Bank. "It has only been a couple of weeks since an Israeli settler killed a U.S. citizen. So, this is not a once-in-a-while occurrence. This is everyday life for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. As well as in Gaza," she said.

Billoo highlighted the irony of the situation, noting that while the U.S. enables the violence, it also fails to address the issue openly. "It is bad enough that we (the U.S.) enable the violence. It adds insult to injury that we are not even allowed to talk about it," she stated.

As the community mourns the loss of Awdah Hattaleen, the call for greater awareness and action grows louder. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by Palestinians and the urgent need for change.