The recent incident involving Hamdan Ballal, the Palestinian co-director of the Oscar-winning film “No Other Land,” has sparked significant concern over the ongoing violence in the occupied West Bank. Ballal was reportedly assaulted by Israeli settlers, a situation that escalated quickly and involved the presence of Israeli soldiers. Eyewitnesses and colleagues have begun to recount the details of the distressing events that unfolded.
On a fateful Monday, Ballal called his fellow co-director, Basel Adra, for assistance. In a state of alarm, Ballal summoned Adra to his home located in the West Bank village of Susya. Upon Adra’s arrival, he witnessed Ballal and at least one other individual being taken away by soldiers. The situation outside Ballal’s residence was chaotic, with a group of Israeli settlers throwing stones, while police and military forces stood nearby, enforcing a perimeter and, according to reports, firing on those who attempted to intervene.
The Israeli military characterized the encounter as a “violent confrontation” where Palestinians and Israelis were engaging in a rock-throwing altercation. They alleged that the violence began when “several terrorists” threw rocks at Israeli civilians, resulting in the involvement of the military. In the aftermath, three Palestinians and one Israeli were taken in for questioning, with the military attributing responsibility for the conflict to illegal rock-throwing.
Additionally, Yuval Abraham, another co-director of “No Other Land,” confirmed that Ballal had sustained injuries to his head and abdomen. He further mentioned that they had lost contact with Ballal since the event occurred. Moreover, five American activists from the Center for Jewish Nonviolence (CJNV) who were present during the incident reported being attacked by Israeli settlers. They claimed that following an earlier dispute involving a shepherd, more than a dozen settlers attacked the village, brandishing weapons including batons and knives.
One of the activists, who preferred to remain nameless out of fear for their safety, recounted being assaulted by approximately 20 masked settlers while trying to reach the village of Susya that evening. Her account highlighted the aggressiveness of the settlers, including physical assaults and damage to their vehicle, which had multiple windows smashed and a tire slashed. Video evidence captured by a dash camera showed a masked individual throwing a rock at their car’s windshield, illustrating the severity of the situation.
Josh Kimelman, a fellow member of the activist group, stated that Israeli soldiers observed the assault but failed to take action. When they reported the attacks to the soldiers, the military personnel simply assured them that everything would be alright without pursuing the settlers involved in the attack.
Earlier this month, prior to these events, Ballal, along with Adra and Abraham, had celebrated their success at the Oscars, accepting an award for best documentary for their film that poignantly depicts the eviction of Palestinians from their homes in the contested region. The film serves as a powerful narrative of the ongoing struggle faced by Palestinian communities amidst increasing settler aggression and governmental repression.
Ballal, who is a farmer by trade, has previously experienced intimidation and harassment at the hands of Israeli settlers who have encroached upon his land. He highlighted his history with settlers, who have threatened violence and made aggressive attempts to claim his agricultural property. Following the deadly Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, Ballal indicated that the intensity of aggression from settlers had escalated dramatically.
Ballal documented his encounters with these settlers, which often included threats of violence and claims over his land. In his attempts to seek assistance, he reached out to law enforcement; however, his pleas apparently went unheard.
The documentary “No Other Land” captures the ongoing struggle in Masafer Yatta, a series of villages in the Hebron mountains. It exposes the harsh realities of demolition and forced eviction perpetrated by the Israeli government, detailing intricate stories of survival amidst violence. The film poignantly illustrates the personal connection between Adra and Abraham against the broader backdrop of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israeli settler violence has persisted in Palestinian villages in the West Bank, with a documented surge in herding outposts marking territory claimed by settlers. According to a detailed report from the advocacy groups Peace Now and Kerem Navot, there has been a nearly 50% rise in these outposts since conflicts escalated.
Lauren Izso contributed to this report, reflecting the grave situation unfolding in the region, highlighting the intersection of art, activism, and the harsh realities of life under occupation in the West Bank. The unsettling events involving Ballal serve as a reminder of the persistent tensions and the need for urgent dialogue and resolution.