In a gut-wrenching story that screams systemic injustice, Palestinian filmmaker and activist Awdah Hathaleen’s life was brutally cut short after being denied entry into the United States - a tragic epilogue to his powerful documentary work.

A Filmmaker Silenced

Hathaleen, an English teacher and father of three, was a key collaborator on the Oscar-winning documentary “No Other Land,” which exposed the violent realities of Israeli occupation in the West Bank. His commitment to documenting truth made him a target, ultimately leading to his alleged murder by an Israeli settler previously sanctioned for violent actions.

Political Complicity and Broken Promises

The Trump administration’s decision to lift sanctions on violent Israeli settlers set a dangerous precedent. Representative John Garamendi didn’t mince words, calling out how removing accountability only emboldens further violence. Hathaleen’s killing represents a systemic failure where political expediency trumps human rights.

Bay Area Stands United

Local activists and representatives like Rep. Lateefah Simon and Zahra Billoo from CAIR are demanding justice, highlighting the interconnected struggle against oppression. The Bay Area’s commitment to solidarity shines through, proving that resistance knows no borders.