Jobaaj Stories
Hamdan Ballal, the Palestinian co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, was reportedly attacked by Israeli settlers in the West Bank on Monday. The attack took place in the Palestinian village of Susiya, located in the Masafer Yatta region, where settlers destroyed property and assaulted Ballal, leaving him injured.
According to the activist group Center for Jewish Nonviolence, Ballal suffered head injuries from the attack. While receiving medical attention in an ambulance, Israeli soldiers detained him and another Palestinian man. Witnesses claim that he was taken away blindfolded, and his current location remains unknown.
Josh Kimelman, a Jewish activist present at the scene, stated that a group of 10-20 masked settlers threw stones and used sticks to attack him, Ballal, and other activists. They also smashed car windows and slashed tires, forcing activists to flee.
The Israeli military has not yet commented on the incident.
No Other Land, which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary in 2024, highlights the struggles of Palestinian residents in Masafer Yatta, who face displacement due to Israeli military actions. The film was co-directed by Ballal, Basel Adra (both Palestinian), and Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor.
The documentary has received international recognition but has also sparked controversy. Some critics in Israel and abroad have opposed its message, with Miami Beach briefly considering ending the lease of a theater that screened the film.
The attack on Ballal has raised concerns about rising violence in the region, especially towards Palestinian activists and filmmakers highlighting the ongoing conflict.
