Palestinian Activist from Oscar-Winning Film 'No Other Land' Killed in the West Bank

A Palestinian activist and teacher, Odeh Muhammad Hadalin, who contributed to the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, has been shot and killed by an Israeli settler in the occupied West Bank.

The incident occurred on July 29, 2025, in the village of Umm al‑Khair, located in the Masafer Yatta region south of Hebron.

Local officials from the Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Education confirmed that Hadalin was shot in the chest during an attack by settlers targeting his village. The Israeli settler identified as the gunman is Yinon Levi, previously sanctioned by the US, UK, EU, and Canada for alleged violence against Palestinians—sanctions later lifted during the Trump administration.

Co-directors Basel Adra and Yuval Abraham of No Other Land affirmed Hadalin’s death on social media. Adra wrote, “My dear friend Awdah was slaughtered this evening… standing in front of the community centre… when a settler fired a bullet that pierced his chest and took his life.” Abraham described him as “a remarkable activist who helped us film No Other Land in Masafer Yatta”.

According to reports, Israeli police are investigating the incident as an “incident near Carmel,” an illegal settlement near Umm al‑Khair. A suspect was detained and arrested at the scene. Authorities also reportedly arrested four Palestinians and two foreign tourists “in connection with the incident”.

Odeh Hadalin, aged 31, played an important role in documenting his community’s resistance against military-designated “firing zones” and forced displacement. His contributions are featured in No Other Land, which won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature in March 2025.

Hadalin’s killing underscores escalating settler violence in the West Bank and follows the abduction of the film's co-director and activist, Hamdan Ballal, who was released eventually. Human rights organizations, including B’Tselem, have recently accused Israeli authorities of facilitating systematic aggression against Palestinian communities, including arson, beatings, home invasions, and shootings—all occurring with increasing frequency since October 2023

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