Israeli police released Oscar-winning Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal on Tuesday, following his detention a day earlier over allegations of “hurling rocks” during a confrontation in the occupied West Bank.
Ballal, who co-directed the documentary “No Other Land” — winner of this year’s Academy Award for Best Documentary — was pictured with bloodstains on his shirt after his release. In a video statement, Ballal expressed disbelief over the incident, saying, “After I won the Oscar, I did not expect to be exposed to such attacks. It was a very strong attack, and the goal was to kill.”
According to the Israeli military, three Palestinians were apprehended on Monday in the village of Susya for alleged rock-throwing during a violent exchange between Palestinians and Israeli settlers. The region, located near Masafer Yatta — the focus of Ballal’s documentary — has been a site of frequent tensions and confrontations.
The film “No Other Land” sheds light on the forced displacement of Palestinians by Israeli forces and settlers in Masafer Yatta, which was designated a restricted military zone in the 1980s.
Claims of Violence and Injuries
Ballal reported being physically assaulted by a settler, stating, “He was hitting me all over my body, and there was also a soldier with him hitting me.” His co-director, Yuval Abraham, said Ballal sustained injuries to his head and stomach, resulting in bleeding.
Activists from the Center for Jewish Nonviolence, an anti-occupation group, witnessed the incident. Jenna, an American activist, described the attack, saying a group of settlers assaulted Ballal and targeted his home before Israeli forces arrived. She emphasized that such incidents are common in the area.
Context of Ongoing Tensions
Rights groups have reported a surge in settler violence in the West Bank since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The region, under Israeli occupation since 1967, is home to approximately three million Palestinians and nearly half a million Israeli settlers. The settlements are considered illegal under international law.
While Ballal and two others were released on bail, they remain under investigation for alleged rock-throwing, property damage, and security endangerment. The filmmaker’s ordeal has further highlighted the plight of Palestinians in the West Bank and ongoing concerns over settler violence.
