Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal, co-director of No Other Land, was beaten by Israeli settlers and detained by Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank. Witnesses say settlers attacked Ballal's village, while the military fired at those trying to help. Activists and colleagues demand accountability and his immediate release.
Hamdan Ballal, the Palestinian co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, was violently assaulted by Israeli settlers and later taken away by Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank, according to witnesses and colleagues.
Ballal had called his co-director, Basel Adra, for help on Monday, prompting Adra to rush to his home in the village of Susya. Upon arrival, Adra saw Ballal and another individual being detained while a group of Israeli settlers hurled stones. Israeli military forces were present, reportedly firing at those who attempted to intervene.
The Israeli military claimed that their forces responded to a "violent confrontation" between Palestinians and Israelis, with both sides allegedly throwing rocks. They detained three Palestinians, including Ballal, and one Israeli for questioning.
Yuval Abraham, another co-director of No Other Land, stated that Ballal sustained injuries to his head and abdomen. His whereabouts remained unknown following his arrest.
American activists from the Center for Jewish Nonviolence (CJNV), who were also present, reported being assaulted by settlers wielding sticks, knives, and an assault rifle. Despite witnessing the attack, Israeli soldiers reportedly failed to intervene.
Ballal has previously faced intimidation from settlers seeking to take his land. His documentary No Other Land sheds light on the forced eviction of Palestinians in Masafer Yatta, a region subjected to increasing settler violence.
The incident has drawn global condemnation, with calls for accountability and Ballal’s immediate release.
