Hamdan Ballal, who recently won an Oscar for his documentary “No Other Land,” was attacked by masked individuals in his village.
Palestinian Filmmaker Assaulted After Oscar Win, Witnesses Report
Palestinian Filmmaker Assaulted After Oscar Win, Witnesses Report
A disturbing incident occurred in the West Bank involving a renowned Palestinian director.
On March 24, 2025, Hamdan Ballal, the award-winning director of the documentary “No Other Land,” fell victim to a violent attack in his home village of Susya, located in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Reports indicate that the director was assaulted by a group of approximately 20 masked settlers, predominantly teenagers who were armed with rocks, sticks, and knives. Joseph Kaplan Weinger, a volunteer dedicated to protecting communities susceptible to settler violence, witnessed the assault unfold as he arrived in the area.
The attack took place while Mr. Ballal was breaking his fast during the holy month of Ramadan, with witnesses recounting that the assailants derisively shouted festive greetings as they carried out the assault. In an effort to assist, Mr. Weinger attempted to alert nearby Israeli soldiers but was thwarted by their inaction. “Soldiers just stood around,” he explained. Later, he observed blood on the ground where Mr. Ballal had been attacked.
According to both witnesses and the Israeli military, Mr. Ballal, who is 37, was among three Palestinians detained following the incident. Leah Zemel, a lawyer for the detainees, reported that they were facing questioning at a military facility but lacked clarity on the reasons behind their detention.
The Israeli military characterized the confrontation as a violent altercation between “several terrorists” who allegedly threw rocks at Israeli citizens and the subsequent military response. They noted that their forces arrived on the scene amid ongoing rock-throwing from the involved parties. The incident underscores the ongoing tensions in the region and the risks faced by individuals, such as Mr. Ballal, who engage in cultural expression amidst conflict.
The attack took place while Mr. Ballal was breaking his fast during the holy month of Ramadan, with witnesses recounting that the assailants derisively shouted festive greetings as they carried out the assault. In an effort to assist, Mr. Weinger attempted to alert nearby Israeli soldiers but was thwarted by their inaction. “Soldiers just stood around,” he explained. Later, he observed blood on the ground where Mr. Ballal had been attacked.
According to both witnesses and the Israeli military, Mr. Ballal, who is 37, was among three Palestinians detained following the incident. Leah Zemel, a lawyer for the detainees, reported that they were facing questioning at a military facility but lacked clarity on the reasons behind their detention.
The Israeli military characterized the confrontation as a violent altercation between “several terrorists” who allegedly threw rocks at Israeli citizens and the subsequent military response. They noted that their forces arrived on the scene amid ongoing rock-throwing from the involved parties. The incident underscores the ongoing tensions in the region and the risks faced by individuals, such as Mr. Ballal, who engage in cultural expression amidst conflict.
