Just weeks after winning an Oscar for his powerful documentary No Other Land Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal found himself in a terrifying real-life drama . This isn't a movie scene though. It's a disturbing account of violence in the West Bank where Ballal says he was attacked by Israeli settlers and soldiers right outside his own home .
Beaten and Threatened: Director Recounts Harrowing Attack in Susya Village
Hamdan Ballal a co-director of the Oscar-winning film described a shocking incident that happened in his village of Susya in Masafer Yatta. It was during Ramadan and what started as settlers entering his village to cause trouble quickly turned personal and violent for Ballal.
Ballal who also works for a human rights organization went to document what was happening like he often does. He took some photos but things escalated fast. Settlers some masked and armed started attacking Palestinian residents and even Jewish activists who were there to help.
Then things took an even darker turn. One settler escorted by two Israeli soldiers headed straight for Ballal's house. While other soldiers fired shots in the air to keep people away Ballal says he was cornered. He claims the settler and then a soldier assaulted him beating him with rifle butts and threatening to shoot him. Imagine fearing for your life like that right in front of your family.
Detained and Mistreated: Night in Detention After West Bank Attack
After the brutal attack Ballal and two other Palestinians were detained by soldiers. He says he was injured handcuffed and blindfolded then taken to a police station in Kiryat Arba an Israeli settlement in the West Bank. His night in detention sounds awful. He was forced to sleep on the floor under freezing air conditioning and says he received little medical attention for his injuries.
Ballal believes this attack wasn't random. He told news outlets "It was revenge for our movie." He even heard soldiers laughing about the Oscar win during his detention. His film No Other Land doesn't shy away from showing the reality of life for Palestinians in the West Bank and it seems some people are not happy about that message getting out especially after the Oscar win put it on a global stage.
'No Other Land': Documenting Life Under Occupation and Sparking Controversy
So what is No Other Land anyway? It's a documentary co-directed by Ballal another Palestinian and two Israeli filmmakers. It bravely shows the harsh realities of Palestinian life in Masafer Yatta focusing on settler violence and the constant threat of home demolitions by Israel.
The film has gained international recognition winning awards including the prestigious Oscar for best documentary. But it has also faced backlash. Some pro-Israel groups have criticized it and even tried to stop screenings. It's clear No Other Land is a film that's making waves and sparking important conversations even if uncomfortable ones.
Escalating Violence: West Bank Tensions and Rising Settler Attacks
Sadly this attack on Ballal happens within a wider context of increasing violence in the West Bank. Since the war in Gaza began settler attacks against Palestinians have reportedly surged. Human rights groups have documented a rise in this kind of violence and say the Israeli army often does little to stop it. Masafer Yatta where Ballal lives has been a particular flashpoint for years with residents facing constant pressure and threats of displacement.
Academy Silent? Criticism Over Lack of Support for Filmmaker
There's also been criticism directed at the Academy Awards organization. Ballal's co-director Yuval Abraham claimed the Academy declined to publicly support Ballal after the attack. Abraham said some Academy members wanted a statement but were refused. The reason given was that because other Palestinians were also attacked the incident might be seen as unrelated to the film itself. This silence from the Academy has been criticized by some as a failure to support a filmmaker they just honored when he clearly needed it.
Filmmaker's Fear and Call for Awareness
Ballal has expressed fear for his safety and for others in his community after this attack. He believes settlers will continue to target them and that things have become even more dangerous since the Oscar win. Despite the risks Ballal and his fellow filmmakers are calling for greater awareness of what is happening in the West Bank and for action to protect Palestinian communities.
Key Facts About the Attack on Hamdan Ballal:
- Who: Hamdan Ballal co-director of Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land
- Where: Susya village Masafer Yatta West Bank
- When: Monday during Ramadan
- Attackers: Israeli settlers and soldiers
- Violence: Beating with rifle butts threats of being shot detention
- Aftermath: Detained overnight received minimal medical care released next day
- Believed motive: Revenge for his film No Other Land exposing West Bank realities