Video of Awdah Hathaleen’s killing by Yinon Levi ignites outrage in Washington, exposes policy rift over Trump-era rollback of sanctions
A brutal shooting in the West Bank has put the spotlight back on a familiar name — and stirred up fresh calls for accountability from Washington to Ramallah.
Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen was shot and killed this week in the village of Umm al-Kheir, and the man accused of pulling the trigger is no stranger to U.S. officials. Yinon Levi, a far-right Israeli settler once sanctioned by the United States for violent attacks on Palestinians, had those sanctions lifted under the Trump administration in 2020. Now, with new video circulating of Levi allegedly opening fire, the Biden administration is under renewed pressure to act — and quickly.
A killing caught on camera, but no clear path to justice
The footage is short but devastating. Shot from a mobile phone, the grainy video shows a man identified by locals as Levi confronting Hathaleen. Seconds later, gunshots. The activist drops to the ground. Cries erupt.
It happened in broad daylight, in the dusty hills of Umm al-Kheir — a village that has seen more than its share of settler violence in recent years.
Local residents say Hathaleen, long a peaceful organizer against illegal settlements, was unarmed.
One sentence from a shaken eyewitness said it all: “He was just standing there.”
Israeli officials have confirmed an investigation is underway. But few in the village expect much to come of it.
At the State Department, an uneasy silence
On Tuesday, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce faced a barrage of questions from reporters in Washington. Would the U.S. take action? Would sanctions be reimposed? Would Levi be held accountable?
Bruce didn’t say yes — or no.
“Israel has investigations that it’s implementing regarding situations of this sort,” she 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.”
It was a careful answer. Too careful, critics say.
And the room noticed. The temperature changed. The words “war crimes” and “impunity” began to surface.
One sentence. One shrug. And now, a growing storm.
Trump lifted the blacklist. Now Biden faces the consequences.
Yinon Levi wasn’t always free to move about easily. In 2019, the U.S. State Department sanctioned him under the Global Magnitsky Act for repeated, documented attacks on Palestinian civilians. The sanctions were largely symbolic — freezing assets and blocking travel — but they sent a message.
Then came 2020. Donald Trump, in a sweeping realignment of U.S. foreign policy, lifted sanctions on Levi and others, calling the previous administration’s actions “politically biased.”
Fast forward five years. Levi’s name is back in headlines — but this time, not just as a provocateur.
The pressure on Biden now? Immense.
Here’s a quick recap of Levi’s sanction status:
| Year | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Sanctioned | Under Global Magnitsky for settler violence |
| 2020 | Sanctions lifted | Trump revoked blacklist without explanation |
| 2025 | Alleged shooter | Accused in killing of activist Awdah Hathaleen |
Bipartisan calls for action, but deep divisions underneath
Democratic lawmakers were quick to respond. Senator Chris Murphy called for “an immediate review of Levi’s status” and urged the White House to “take all necessary steps to ensure accountability.”
Even some Republicans — typically staunch allies of Israel — hinted at discomfort. Senator Rand Paul, no stranger to breaking ranks, said, “If a known violent settler is killing unarmed people and we do nothing, then what’s the point of sanctions at all?”
Still, others pushed back.
Congressman Jim Jordan tweeted, “We’re not going to sanction Israelis for defending themselves against terrorists,” drawing harsh criticism online. Civil rights groups said that narrative doesn’t match what the footage shows.
The split is clear. And the debate is turning toxic.
Palestinian outrage and mounting grief on the ground
In Umm al-Kheir, the grief is sharp and raw.
Hathaleen was more than an activist. He was a symbol. A voice. A man who stood — literally and figuratively — between bulldozers and homes. His death has sent shockwaves through the West Bank and beyond.
• Protests erupted in Hebron, Bethlehem, and Ramallah
• Palestinian Authority officials called it an “execution”
• International NGOs urged Washington to act or risk “normalizing settler terrorism”
Hathaleen’s cousin, in tears, told Reuters, “He believed in peace. Look where that got him.”
Biden administration walks tightrope on Israel
For President Biden, it’s another difficult balancing act. He has long touted support for Israel’s right to self-defense — but also claims to uphold human rights globally.
Levi’s case puts that balance to the test.
Some aides reportedly worry that reimposing sanctions could alienate key allies in the Israeli government, especially amid ongoing military operations in Gaza. Others argue that doing nothing would shred credibility on human rights, especially with Arab American and progressive voters.
Behind the scenes, diplomats are trying to thread the needle.
One senior official, speaking anonymously, admitted: “This is bad. And it’s not going away.”
