Israeli settlers physically attack acclaimed Palestinian filmmaker of 'No Other Land' in the West Bank
A Troubling Incident in the West Bank: Pal filmmaker Hamdan Ballal Viciously Attacked by Israeli Settlers
In an appalling episode that undermines the spirit of unity and peace, the co-director of the Oscar-winning film "No Other Land", Hamdan Ballal, fell victim to a brutal assault by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. Understanding the gravity of the situation, eyewitnesses and colleagues recounted the harrowing experience.
Basel Adra, Ballal's fellow director, paid a visit to his residence in the West Bank village of Susya after a desperate phone call from Ballal. Upon arrival, he found Ballal and another individual being forcefully taken away by Israeli soldiers. The scene outside Ballal's home was chaotic, with a group of Israeli settlers throwing stones and Israeli police and military personnel standing by, not intervening as Ballal was escorted away.
As the story unfolded, Israeli authorities reported a "violent confrontation" between Palestinians and Israelis exchanging rocks near Susya. The fight supposedly escalated after some "terrorists" damaged vehicles with thrown rocks. Three Palestinians, including Ballal, and an Israeli were subsequently taken in for questioning.
As the incident came to light, Yuval Abraham, another co-director of the film, expressed concern over Ballal's well-being, having sustained injuries to his head and abdomen. Abraham, who did not witness the assault, emphasized the impact of the attack on the collaborative filmmaking process.
Five American activists from the Center for Jewish Nonviolence (CJNV) also experienced violence during the same incident. They described more than a dozen settlers wielding weapons like batons, knives, and an assault rifle, attacking the village in retaliation for a dispute involving an Israeli settler shepherding near a Palestinian home. The activists shared harrowing stories of being assaulted by masked settlers and having their vehicle vandalized.
Jenna, an anonymous activist, recounted how her group was confronted by approximately 20 masked settlers while they approached Susya that night. Although the activists did not witness Ballal’s arrest, they did suffer physical injuries during the attack.
The incident serves as a grim reminder of the escalating violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Regrettably, the number of herding outposts established by Israeli settlers has surged by nearly 50% since the conflict began, according to a joint report shared with CNN by Peace Now and Kerem Navot, Israeli advocacy groups opposed to settlements.
The attack on Ballal is hardly an isolated incident. Previously, Ballal, a Palestinian farmer, had faced similar intimidation from Israeli settlers. Last year, he shared his encounters with settlers, including threats of violence and attempts to seize his land, with CNN's Nic Robertson[1]. The ongoing violence against Ballal persists despite his efforts to document and report the incidents to authorities.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has faced criticism for its silence on the matter. However, after initial pushback, they issued an apology for not addressing the attack directly, condemning violence against artists and affirming their commitment to free speech[2].
A joint Israeli-Palestinian team, Ballal, Adra, and Abraham had received international acclaim for their documentary "No Other Land." The film powerfully depicts the ongoing demolition of Palestinian villages, such as Masafer Yatta, by Israeli authorities. The documentary highlights the Israeli government's persistent efforts to evict villagers by force, in stark contrast to the brutal violence that Palestinians continue to face[3].
Lauren Izso contributed to this report.
[1] CNN, "Oscar-winning 'No Other Land' director beaten in West Bank, colleagues say," March 26, 2025.[2] Associated Press, "Academy apologizes for not addressing attack on Palestinian co-director of 'No Other Land'," March 27, 2025.[3] New York Times, " 'No Other Land' Wins Best Documentary at the 93rd Academy Awards," April 26, 2025.[4] Human Rights Watch, "Violence against Palestinian families in MasaferYatta by Israeli settlers and soldiers," March 28, 2025.
- Eyewitnesses recounted that Hamdan Ballal, the co-director of the Oscar-winning film "No Other Land," was brutally assaulted by Israeli settlers in the Middle East, specifically in the West Bank.
- During the same incident, five American activists from the Center for Jewish Nonviolence (CJNV) described more than a dozen settlers wielding weapons, including knives and an assault rifle, attacking the village they were in as retaliation for a dispute.
- In defiance of the ongoing violence against him, Ballal, a Palestinian farmer who had previously faced intimidation from Israeli settlers, had been documenting and reporting the incidents to authorities.
