An Israeli settler who Israeli officers say is suspected of taking pictures and killing a Palestinian activist tied to the Oscar-winning movie “No Different Land” had been sanctioned by the Biden administration for alleged violence towards Palestinians — sanctions lifted by the Trump administration.
Yinon Levi, the alleged shooter based on Israeli officers, confronted financial sanctions imposed final 12 months below then-President Joe Biden after being cited for allegedly inciting violence towards Palestinian civilians and burning farmland.
Chatting with ABC Information Chief Worldwide Correspondent James Longman final 12 months following Biden’s sanctions, Levi and his spouse, Sapir, denied the accusations cited within the sanctions and stated they initially thought the sanctions have been a “joke.”
“We’re right here and we now have to defend ourselves and nothing extra,” Sapir Levi told Longman.
Yinon Levy, an Israeli settler who has been sanctioned by the U.S. for allegedly attacking and threatening Palestinians, and his spouse Sapir communicate with ABC Information’ James Longman.
ABC Information
Shortly after taking workplace in January, President Donald Trump signed an govt order lifting the sanctions and eradicating Levi’s title, amongst others, from the U.S. “Specifically Designated Nationals and Blocked Individuals Listing.”
Levi’s title seems on the very top of the list of those who had sanctions lifted, launched by the Treasury Division in January.
Native officers confirmed that 31-year-old Awdah Hathaleen was shot lifeless within the West Financial institution village of Umm al-Khair on Monday.
The daddy of three was an activist who labored on the movie, “No Different Land,” which tells the story of a West Financial institution neighborhood by means of the lens of a Palestinian activist. The film won an Oscar in March for greatest documentary function movie.
In accordance with the Palestinian Schooling Ministry, Hathaleen was additionally a trainer who taught on the Al-Saray’a Secondary Faculty.
In a video posted on X, the director of “No Different Land,” Yuval Abraham, referred to as Hathaleen a “good friend” and stated he was “shot within the higher physique.”
In accordance with Israel police, “Palestinians threw stones at civilian automobiles that have been lawfully conducting work within the space” and a firearm was discharged. A complete of 5 Palestinians and two foreigners have been detained by Israel Protection Forces “on suspicion of involvement,” police stated.
Humanitarian support is airdropped to Palestinians over Central Gaza Strip as seen from Khan Younis, July 28, 2025.
Abdel Kareem Hana/AP
Initially unnamed, the suspect was questioned for “reckless conduct leading to demise and illegal use of a firearm,” Israel police stated in an announcement. They added that {that a} court docket had ordered the individual to be launched to accommodate arrest till Friday, denying a police request to increase his detention.
ABC Information has confirmed that Levi was taken into custody following Monday’s incident, per Israeli officers. It’s unclear if Levi has been charged and if he has publicly commented.
Throughout a press briefing Tuesday, State Division spokesperson Tammy Bruce deflected questions concerning the allegations towards Levi and lifting the sanctions, as a substitute deferring to the Israeli authorities to analyze.
“We decry the lack of life all over the place — that has been the hallmark of the work that this administration is doing,” she stated. “We do not touch upon investigations that belong to a different authorities.”
The Israeli military continues its army exercise with tanks whereas some Israeli troopers maintain Talmudic rituals on the border line within the Gaza Strip on April 3, 2025.
Anadolu through Getty Photographs
In an announcement Tuesday, Rep. John Garamendi, a California Democrat, slammed Israeli settler violence within the West Financial institution and demanded solutions about Hathaleen’s demise.
“Lifting sanctions on the very people who perpetrate these unacceptable acts solely emboldens violent settlers and sends a sign that america will not maintain violent actors accountable,” Garamendi stated.
ABC Information’ James Longman, Will Gretsky and Tom Soufi Burridge contributed to this report.
