Filmmaker Hamdan Ballal Attacked Following Oscar Victory
HEBRON, West Bank (AP) — Hamdan Ballal, an Oscar-winning director for the documentary “No Other Land,” shared a harrowing account of a brutal attack he experienced by an Israeli settler and soldiers shortly after his film highlighted the struggles of his West Bank village, Susiya, against Israeli occupation.
A Night of Violence
On the evening of the incident, which occurred shortly after sundown during Ramadan, Ballal described being assaulted by an Israeli settler, identified as Shem Tov Luski. According to Ballal, the settler approached him alongside Israeli soldiers and violently beat him, causing significant injuries. He recounted, “He kicked my head like a football,” and detailed how soldiers also participated in the beating.
After the assault, Ballal and two other Palestinians were detained by the soldiers, allegedly for hurling stones, a claim he vehemently denied. Instead, he stated that he had been filming the destruction caused by the settlers when the violent confrontation began. During his detention, Ballal was kept blindfolded for over 20 hours, subjected to physical abuse by the soldiers, and heard them taunting him with references to his recent Oscar win.
Context of the Attack
The violence erupted amidst a larger pattern of assaults in Susiya, a village depicted in “No Other Land.” The documentary sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by the Palestinian residents against settler aggression and military threats to demolish their homes.
Witnesses reported that around two dozen Jewish settlers, accompanied by police and some thirty soldiers, invaded the village, vandalizing property and assaulting local residents. Activists supporting the villagers documented the violence, capturing footage of settlers vandalizing property and assaulting them as well.
Claims of Forged Attacks
In response to Ballal’s accusations, Luski denied the allegations, framing the confrontation as a defensive action after settlers were reportedly attacked by Palestinians. He claimed that Ballal had thrown stones at his car and boasted that he had evidence to support his version of events, though he declined to share this footage.
Legal and Medical Aftermath
Following their detention, Ballal and the other Palestinians were transferred to a military base where they received limited medical treatment for their injuries. Upon their release, Ballal went to a local hospital in Hebron, where physicians confirmed he had sustained multiple bruises and abrasions, though no severe internal injuries were noted.
Impact on the Community
Ballal’s awards and the attention garnered by “No Other Land” have illuminated the dire conditions in the Masafer Yatta region, where many Palestinian families continue to face violence from settlers and military efforts to remove them from their land. The film, which explores the residents’ attempts to resist these challenges, had recently gained international recognition, igniting further scrutiny on the issues faced by Palestinians.
Basel Adra, a co-director of the film, expressed concern over a recent escalation of violence following their success at the Oscars, noting an increase in violent incidents involving both Israeli settlers and military actions against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Closing Remarks
The situation in the West Bank remains complex and fraught with tension, underscored by the ongoing violence and political strife that has deep historical roots. The international community watches as various stakeholders navigate their claims to land and sovereignty in a region marked by conflict.
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