An Oscar-winning Palestinian filmmaker has been detained by the Israeli military in the occupied West Bank, according to reports from activists. Hamdan Ballal, who co-directed the acclaimed documentary "No Other Land," was reportedly assaulted by Israeli settlers before his arrest in the village of Susya, located in the Masafer Yatta area.
Activists from the Centre for Jewish Nonviolence shared that Ballal sustained a head injury during the altercation with the settlers, who were part of a larger group that attacked the village and damaged property. As he received treatment in an ambulance, both he and another Palestinian man were taken into custody. Witness Josh Kimelman expressed concern, stating, "We don’t know where Hamdan is because he was taken away in a blindfold."
The incident escalated when masked settlers reportedly clashed with Jewish activists, throwing stones and damaging vehicles. Video footage captured by activists showed the chaos, including physical confrontations. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) responded, claiming that several individuals were throwing rocks at Israeli citizens, which led to a violent confrontation involving both Palestinians and Israelis.
In a statement, the IDF noted that they apprehended three Palestinians and an Israeli civilian involved in the incident. They denied claims that anyone was taken from an ambulance, asserting that their actions were in response to the violence at the scene.
Hamdan Ballal is known for his work on "No Other Land," which won the Oscar for Best Documentary this year. The film highlights the struggles of residents in Masafer Yatta against the Israeli military’s efforts to demolish their villages. Alongside Ballal, the film was co-directed by Basel Adra, also a resident of the area, and two Israeli filmmakers.
The situation in the West Bank has been tense, with rising violence from both settlers and Palestinians. This incident adds to the ongoing concerns about the safety of individuals in the region, especially those involved in artistic and activist efforts. Paul W Fleming, general secretary of the Equity performing arts union, emphasized the importance of protecting artistic expression, particularly for oppressed communities.
As the conflict continues, the plight of individuals like Hamdan Ballal remains critical, drawing attention to the broader issues of human rights and freedom of expression in the region.