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Jewish Voice for Liberation

Settler murders Palestinian peace activist – Palestinians arrested

Published by Leah Levane
Awdah Hathaleen who was murdered by a settler in August 2025 with one of his children. (photo from activist friends)

JVL Introduction

It is with a heavy heart that we report another murder by a settler.  Awdah Al Hathaleen, a committed activist from the village of Umm Al Khair in the South Hebron Hills was killed yesterday by a known violent settler.  His cousin was injured and as of last night the only arrests made was of seven Palestinians from the village.

His is one death, the 159th Palestinian to be killed from the West Bank, one killing amongst far too many and his murder has touched so many people across the world because of his openness, warmth, commitment and much more.  For me – and I met him first in 2012 and again in 2017 on a 150 strong Jewish delegation to Palestine.  He was thoroughly involved in welcoming part of that group to his village and in joining in a major action to get a Palestinian family back into their home in Sarura after 20 years and then ensuring that the family was protected.  He was a teacher and leaves behind his wife and three children.

Many have posted tributes and some are included in this Common Dreams article: ‘May His Memory Be a Revolution’.

In the spirit of “we are not numbers”, we mark his murder and his huge contribution to his community and his love. Every single one of those killed in the West Bank and in Gaza, deserves to be remembered.

As well as marking his cruel murder, we want to remember his life and so we encourage you to listen to him on this Green olive solidarity network webinar. He sounds sadder and more desperate than in the past as things were seriously worsening. On the very next day he was murdered.

LL

This is the introduction to the discussion with Awdah from Green Olive Solidarity Network, followed by the video made the day before his murder.

“Awdah is a longstanding justice advocate and has been documenting home demolitions, settler attacks, and human rights violations in Massafer Yatta for many years as part of broader efforts to counter settler violence and expulsion. U.S. authorities deported Awdah and fellow activist Eid Suleiman from the San Francisco International Airport last month and detained them for over twenty four hours as friends, elected officials, faith leaders, and demonstrators called for their release.

We were honored to join with Awdah to hear more about recent events, his experience with border security in the US, and the steadfastness of the community in the face of military occupation. ”

As for the murder itself, this is what we understand happened as shared by fellow activists Sami Hureini on his Facebook post.

*Israeli Settlers Shoot Awda Hathaleen Dead and Injure Another Palestinian in Masafer Yatta*
Armed Israeli settlers attacked the village of Umm al-Khair in Masafar Yatta in the south of the West Bank earlier today, killing Awda Hathaleen, 31, in cold blood, injuring another, and causing damage to infrastructure and private land.
Yinon Levy, a notorious violent settler who was previously under US sanctions and is still under sanctions by the UK, France, Canada and several other countries was filmed on location waving hand gun at resident and opening fire. Awdah was shot in the chest, causing him critical injuries, and was evacuated to the Soroka hospital, where he was pronounce dead on arrival. Awdah’s cousin, Ahmad Hathaleen was injured in the head from a bulldozer blade and evacuated to the hospital in Yatta.
The incident took place during a violent and armed settler attack, in the midst of an invasion into the village, and as settlers were razing village land with heavy machinery.
Settlers used a bulldozer to raze infrastructure in privately owned land at the edge of the village when residents came out to try and prevent the destruction. The bulldozer driver then lifted the blade while advancing forward, hitting Ahmad Hathaleen in the head with it, causing him critical injuries.
Following the incident, Israeli military forces went on to invade the village, arresting at least seven Palestinians and two foreign nationals, one American and one Italian. As far as we know there have not been any known arrests of Israeli settlers.
This video of the event was posted by Yuval Abraham (one of the directors of “No Other Land”soith on X:

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