Awdah Hathleen, a Palestinian peace activist and contributor to the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, was shot and killed on Monday in Masafer Yatta, in the occupied West Bank. According to the film's co-directors, he was shot in the chest by Israeli settler Yinon Levi, who has previously faced sanctions for violence against Palestinians.
Hathleen, a father of three, English teacher, and respected community leader, was remembered as a symbol of peace and resilience in his village. His death comes just weeks after he was deported from the U.S. despite holding a valid visa, where he had been invited by progressive Jewish organizations to speak about peace and justice.
Videos circulating online show Levi armed during a home demolition, part of the ongoing displacement of Palestinians. Hathleen’s killing highlights the escalating risks faced by Palestinian civilians amid expanding Israeli settlements.
