Armed settlers attacked the home of Hamdan Ballal, Palestinian co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary “No Other Land,” in Susya in the Masafer Yatta area. According to Jewish American activists who witnessed the attack, about 15 armed settlers threw stones at Palestinians and destroyed a water tank near Ballal’s house. Soldiers arrived alongside settlers in military uniforms, who chased Ballal to his house and handed him over to the military. The settlers destroyed his car with stones and slashed a tire, breaking all windows and windshields.
Background on Hamdan Ballal
Ballal is one of four directors (two Palestinian, two Israeli) of “No Other Land,” which documents the destruction of villages in the West Bank. The film won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. During their acceptance speech, co-director Yuval Abraham said: “We made this film, Palestinians and Israelis, because together our voices are stronger.”
Responses and Reactions
Basel Adra, another co-director who witnessed the attack, described it as “horrific” and suggested the violence might be revenge for the movie’s Oscar win. Yuval Abraham posted on X that Ballal was injured in the head and stomach. Israel’s culture minister had previously called the Oscar win “a sad moment for the world of cinema.”
Current Situation
Ballal was injured by settlers and taken by the Israeli army along with another man identified only as Nasser. The IDF stated there was a violent confrontation where “terrorists” threw rocks at Israeli citizens, and they apprehended three Palestinians suspected of hurling rocks. This is not the first time the “No Other Land” directors have been attacked by settlers.