Israeli settler kills West Bank activist who worked on Oscar-winning film
Al Jazeera3 days
'No Other Land' Contributor Allegedly Killed by Previously Sanctioned Israeli Settler
Above: Israeli forces raid the mourning tent of Awdah Hathaleen near Hebron on July 29, 2025. Image copyright: Ilia Yefimovich/Picture Alliance/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Israel must do more to crack down on Israeli settlers who attack Palestinians, as the settlements, which are illegal under international law, have continued to act as an obstacle to peace. Hathaleen was apparently murdered by an extremist settler who had U.S. sanctions placed on him until Trump removed them. Hathaleen repeatedly called for peace with his neighbors, and his death is a tragedy.
Pro-Israel narrative
Though it is, of course, a tragedy whenever someone dies, Levi was clearly acting in self-defense. Furthermore, the media continues to propagate the myth that settler violence, which is quite rare, has escalated since Hamas' brutal terror attack on Oct. 7. Indeed, this myth only serves to perpetuate a disturbing equivalence between Palestinian terrorists and a fringe element of Israeli society.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Hathaleen's murder is just another example of Israeli apartheid. Though the Israeli and Western media try to portray settlers as a fringe element of Israeli society, the state was founded on the basis of ethnic cleansing and land theft. Israeli leaders on the left and right have continued to approve settlement expansion, and Palestinian land has continued to recede since 1948. Indeed, Israel annexed the West Bank in all but name a long time ago, and Israeli politicians are increasingly open about Israel's intentions — the incremental destruction of Palestine.