The Palestinian co-director of the Oscar-winning film “No Other Land”, Hamdan Ballal, faced a harrowing experience as he was reportedly beaten by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. Eyewitness accounts and his colleagues confirm that Ballal was taken away by Israeli soldiers during the incident, raising serious concerns about the ongoing tensions in the region.
Ballal's co-director, Basel Adra, spoke to CNN, explaining that he rushed to Ballal’s home in the West Bank village of Susya after receiving a distress call from him. Upon arrival, Adra witnessed Ballal being escorted away by military personnel while two other individuals were also placed in police vehicles. A group of Israeli settlers was present outside Ballal’s home, with some reportedly throwing stones. The situation escalated, as Israeli police and military were on the scene, firing at anyone who attempted to approach, Adra recounted.
In a troubling development, Yuval Abraham, another co-director of “No Other Land”, confirmed that Ballal sustained injuries to his head and abdomen during the attack and has since been unreachable. Though Abraham did not witness the incident directly, he expressed grave concern for his colleague’s well-being.
Five American activists from the Center for Jewish Nonviolence (CJNV), who were also present during the altercation, reported that they too were assaulted by Israeli settlers. These activists detailed an aggressive encounter with over a dozen settlers, who were armed with batons, knives, and at least one assault rifle. This aggression reportedly followed a dispute involving an Israeli settler shepherding near a Palestinian residence.
One activist, Jenna, who wished to remain anonymous due to fears of retaliation, described how her group was attacked by approximately 20 masked settlers. She shared that as they attempted to retreat to their vehicle, they were struck with sticks, while settlers vandalized their car by smashing windows and slashing a tire. Dashcam footage from the vehicle, shared by CJNV, captured a masked individual throwing a rock at the windshield, with subsequent photos revealing shattered glass scattered inside the car.
Josh Kimelman, another member of the activist group, stated that Israeli soldiers observed the violence but failed to intervene. “We informed them about the attack,” Kimelman told CNN. “Their response was that everything would be fine, yet they stood by without taking any action against the settlers.”
Earlier this month, Ballal, Adra, and Abraham had shared a moment of triumph as they collectively accepted the Oscar for Best Documentary for “No Other Land”. The film poignantly recounts the forced eviction of Palestinians from their homes in the occupied West Bank. Ballal, a Palestinian farmer, has publicly disclosed his experiences of intimidation and harassment from Israeli settlers, including incidents where settlers placed their livestock on his land while he slept.
In interviews, Ballal has revealed the persistent threats he faces from settlers who claim divine rights to his land. He previously called the police in vain in an attempt to seek help against these aggressions. “No Other Land” sheds light on the Israeli government’s systematic efforts to evict Palestinian villagers from Masafer Yatta, a cluster of communities nestled in the Hebron mountains, where Adra resides with his family.
The documentary starkly portrays the ongoing demolitions carried out by Israeli authorities, depicting the heartbreaking destruction of local playgrounds, the tragic killing of Adra’s brother by Israeli soldiers, and the relentless attacks by Jewish settlers as the community struggles to endure.
Beyond the political narrative, “No Other Land” delves into the human connections between the co-directors, Adra and Abraham, highlighting their collaborative efforts to bring to light the harsh realities faced by Palestinians in the West Bank. As the situation continues to unfold, the film stands as a testament to resilience in the face of adversity.
