In a deeply troubling incident that has captured international attention, acclaimed Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal, co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary “No Other Land,” was injured during an attack by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank village of Susya. According to Yuval Abraham, another director of the acclaimed documentary, Ballal sustained injuries to his head and stomach after being attacked by a group of settlers. The Centre for Jewish Non-violence reported that Ballal was receiving medical treatment in an ambulance when Israeli soldiers detained him along with another Palestinian man, casting uncertainty over his current whereabouts and medical care.
The village of Susya, a site frequently spotlighted in documentaries for its human rights challenges, has once again become a focal point of international scrutiny. The attack reportedly began when settlers, identified as Issachar Manne and his son Shem Tov, instigated violence by throwing stones at local residents and vandalizing property, including a water tank and Ballal’s car. About 15 masked settlers, allegedly armed with batons, knives, and M-16 rifles, were involved, while Israeli security forces reportedly failed to intervene.
“No Other Land,” which triumphantly clinched the Best Documentary Oscar this year, portrays the persistent struggle of Masafer Yatta residents against the demolition threats from the Israeli military. The film features the perspectives of both Palestinian directors, Hamdan Ballal and Basel Adra, and Israeli directors, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. The documentary has spotlighted the harsh realities faced by the residents, predominantly Arab Bedouins, who remain steadfast despite the military’s designation of the area as a live-fire zone since the 1980s.
Amid this backdrop, the Israeli military acknowledged the arrest of three Palestinians in the area but did not disclose their identities, claiming they were involved in stone-throwing incidents against settlers. The military denied allegations of a Palestinian being detained from within an ambulance.
A report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicated that settler-related violence in the West Bank has surged in recent years, with over 500 incidents reported in the last year alone, affecting Palestinian livelihoods and safety. Experts from the Global Affairs Council assert that such incidents underline the urgent need for renewed diplomatic efforts and international intervention to ensure the protection of civilians and uphold human rights.
The incident has sparked a wave of reactions from international human rights bodies and film industry figures, calling for an immediate and transparent investigation. This episode underscores the volatile dynamics in the West Bank and amplifies the voices calling for peace and justice in the region.
