Hamdan Ballal, from left, Yuval Abraham and Basel Adra, winners of best documentary feature film for 'No Other Land,' attend the Governors Ball after the Oscars on March 2 in Los Angeles
Introduction
In a disturbing incident, Palestinian director attacked by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank has sparked global outrage. Hamdan Ballal, the Oscar-winning co-director of No Other Land, was beaten and detained by Israeli soldiers after the violent assault.
Palestinian Director Attacked in Susya Village During Violent Clash
The Palestinian director attacked incident took place in Susya village, where Ballal lives. Co-director Basel Adra witnessed settlers throwing stones outside Ballal’s home as Israeli soldiers fired shots to prevent anyone from helping.
Israeli Military Detains Palestinian Director After Attack
The Israeli military claimed they intervened during a violent rock-throwing clash. Following the Palestinian director attacked incident, three Palestinians and one Israeli were taken for questioning.
Palestinian Director Attacked and Injured by Settlers
Yuval Abraham, Ballal’s Israeli co-director, confirmed the Palestinian director attacked suffered head and abdominal injuries. Ballal has not been heard from since.
American Activists Also Targeted as Palestinian Director Attacked
American activists from the Center for Jewish Nonviolence said they were assaulted by masked settlers armed with batons, knives, and a rifle, the same night the Palestinian director attacked incident happened. Their vehicle was damaged while Israeli soldiers stood by.
Palestinian Director Attacked After Oscar Win for No Other Land
Weeks earlier, Ballal accepted an Oscar for No Other Land, a documentary on Palestinian evictions. The Palestinian director attacked has long faced harassment by settlers trying to take his land.
No Other Land Exposes Settler Violence as Palestinian Director Attacked
The film No Other Land documents forced evictions in Masafer Yatta. It shows violent settler attacks like the latest Palestinian director attacked event and the killing of Adra’s brother by Israeli soldiers.
Settler Violence Rises in West Bank as Palestinian Director Attacked
According to Peace Now and Kerem Navot, settler violence in the West Bank has surged, with herding outposts growing by 50% since the war began — adding to cases like the Palestinian director attacked.
