Since Thursday, over 60 women from the Palestinian village of Umm al Khair have embarked on a hunger strike, demanding the return of Awdah Hathaleen’s body. Hathaleen, a respected community leader, was shot and killed by an Israeli settler in a violent incident that occurred on July 28 during an armed invasion of the village.
The strike was initiated in response to the Israeli police’s refusal to return Hathaleen’s body to his family under normal conditions, imposing instead restrictive requirements for the funeral. The authorities have demanded a burial at night outside the village, limited to just 15 mourners. In defiance, Hathaleen’s family stated, “Awdah is not a thief and we will not bury him in the dark,” highlighting their commitment to a proper mourning process.
The hunger strikers are also seeking the release of those detained during the same incident, emphasizing their community’s desire for justice. Two of the participants have required medical attention, yet they remain resolute in their commitment to the cause.
Awdah Hathaleen was killed by settler Yinon Levi, who has faced international condemnation for his actions, including sanctions from various governments. The circumstances surrounding Hathaleen’s death—recorded on video—exemplify the ongoing tensions between the local Palestinian population and Israeli settlers in the region.
“We must continue in this hunger strike, until with God’s help they will release the body. It’s the least we can do for Awdah. Awdah was loved by everyone; he helped everyone. Every small child in the village knows and loves him. There’s no one like Awdah, and there never will be anyone like Awdah,” stated one of the hunger strikers, underlining the profound impact Hathaleen had on the community.
In light of these events, the women are inviting journalists to visit their gathering tent to shed light on their situation and voice their demands for justice, including the apprehension of Levi, who remains free following a court’s decision. The hunger strikers plan to continue their protest until their requests are fulfilled, advocating for both Hathaleen’s body and the broader rights of their community.
For additional information or to arrange a visit, interested journalists can contact Community representative Oneg Ben Dror at +972 54-635-3399 or via email at onegbd@gmail.com.
