The killing of Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen by Israeli settler Yinon Levi has sparked renewed calls for the US to reinstate sanctions on violent Israeli settlers. Levi, who was previously sanctioned by the US government under President Joe Biden’s administration, was accused of perpetrating violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. However, President Donald Trump reversed these sanctions in an executive order shortly after taking office for a second term in January.
Hathaleen, a 31-year-old father of three, was a resident of Masafer Yatta and had helped create the Academy Award-winning documentary “No Other Land,” which highlighted the effects of Israeli settlements and attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank. His death has renewed scrutiny of Trump’s policies towards illegal Israeli settlements in occupied territories like the West Bank. During his first term, Trump reversed a longstanding policy recognizing such settlements as illegal, and Israeli settlements have continued to spread rapidly in recent years.
At a news briefing, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce was questioned about the killing and whether Levi would be held accountable. “Israel has investigations that it’s implementing regarding situations of this sort,” Bruce said. “I don’t know the end result of what that’s going to be, nor will I comment or speculate on what should happen.” Bruce’s response was met with criticism, with some arguing that the US government is not doing enough to hold Israeli settlers accountable for their actions.
The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has called for an investigation into the killing of Sayfollah Musallet, a 20-year-old US citizen who was beaten to death while visiting his family’s land in the village of Sinjil. “Aggressively investigate” the incident, Huckabee urged, describing it as a “criminal and terrorist act.” However, no one has been arrested or charged in the killing.
J Street, a left-leaning pro-Israel lobbying group, has called on US lawmakers to support legislation that would codify the Biden-era sanctions against settlers like Levi. The group expressed its deep sadness and horror over Hathaleen’s killing, citing its members’ personal ties to him. Congress member Delia Ramirez also condemned Hathaleen’s killing, stating that the US government and Israel continue to enable and condone violence in the West Bank.
Key Players and Reactions
- Awdah Hathaleen: A 31-year-old Palestinian activist and father of three who was killed by Israeli settler Yinon Levi. Hathaleen helped create the Academy Award-winning documentary “No Other Land”.
- Yinon Levi: The Israeli settler accused of killing Hathaleen. Levi was previously sanctioned by the US government under President Joe Biden’s administration.
- Donald Trump: The US President who reversed sanctions on violent Israeli settlers in an executive order.
- Joe Biden: The former US President who imposed sanctions on violent Israeli settlers in February 2024.
- Tammy Bruce: The State Department spokesperson who was questioned about the killing and whether Levi would be held accountable.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has long been a contentious issue, with the status of the West Bank and Israeli settlements a major point of contention. The US government’s stance on the issue has significant implications for the region. Since Israel’s war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, violence on the part of Israeli settlers and military forces has surged, with at least 1,000 Palestinians killed in the West Bank. Rights observers say violent settlers are often protected by the military as they attack Palestinians.