A Palestinian filmmaker, whose documentary recently received an Oscar, is currently facing detention by Israeli forces in the West Bank following an alleged incident involving settlers and Palestinians.
Hamdan Ballal is one of four filmmakers behind No Other Land, which won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature Film earlier this month. The film sheds light on the ongoing struggles of Palestinian residents in the Masafer Yatta region, as they fight to prevent the Israeli military from demolishing their villages. As Ryan Coogler once said, “The only way to change the world is to make people feel,” and Ballal’s work aims to evoke empathy for those affected by these pressing issues.
Reports from two of his co-directors and other witnesses indicate that Ballal was assaulted by settlers before being taken into custody by Israeli forces. The Israeli military has stated that they detained three Palestinians suspected of throwing rocks at soldiers, along with one Israeli civilian involved in what they termed a “violent confrontation” between the two groups. However, these assertions have been contested by witnesses interviewed by The Associated Press (AP).
A spokesperson for Channel 4 expressed their concern, stating, “We are deeply disturbed by reports that Hamdan Ballal, the co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, has been injured in an attack by settlers in the West Bank, followed by his subsequent detention by Israeli authorities.”
Co-director Basel Adra, who witnessed Ballal’s detainment, shared that soldiers took Ballal, handcuffed and blindfolded, from his home to a military vehicle. Adra noted that settlers entered the village shortly after local residents broke their Ramadan fast. He remarked, “We came back from the Oscars, and every day since there has been an attack on us,” suggesting that the film’s recent success might have made them a target.
According to lawyer Lea Tsemel, who is representing Ballal and two other detainees in the village of Susiya, she had not been in contact with them and lacked further information regarding their situation. The Israeli military has indicated that the Palestinians have been transferred to police for questioning.
Hamdan Ballal and Rachel Szor recently celebrated their achievement at the Oscars on March 2. Both hailing from Masafer Yatta, Ballal and Adra collaborated with Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Szor to create this impactful documentary. Since its debut, the film has garnered multiple international awards, starting with recognition at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2024.
The West Bank has been under Israeli occupation since the 1967 Middle East war, a situation that includes Gaza and East Jerusalem. Israeli settlements within the territory are deemed illegal under international law, a stance that Israel contests. Over the past 55 years, these settlements have expanded significantly, becoming a source of contention and violence concerning land rights.
As we reflect on these challenging narratives, it’s crucial to remember the words of filmmaker Spike Lee: “The thing that I love about filmmaking is the fact that it is a collaborative art.” The collaboration between Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers serves as a reminder of the power of storytelling in fostering understanding and empathy.
Source: Press Association
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
