Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal, who won an Oscar for his documentary “No Other Land,” claims he is facing targeted attacks by Israeli settlers and soldiers in the West Bank. Ballal expressed his concerns in a recent interview, stating that the success of his film has made him a target for reprisals.
Living in Masafer Yatta, a collection of Palestinian villages in the south Hebron hills, Ballal believes he is being punished for sharing the message depicted in his film. The documentary, co-directed by Ballal, Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Szor, portrays the struggles of Palestinians living under occupation in Masafer Yatta.
Tensions in the West Bank have escalated amid the conflict in Gaza, with Ballal recounting an incident where he was assaulted by a settler named Shem Tov Luski and two soldiers while documenting settler harassment towards Palestinian villagers. Following the attack, Ballal was detained and held overnight.
The head of the local council in Susiya mentioned that the trouble started when settlers disrupted a gathering during Ramadan. Activists from the Center for Jewish Nonviolence, who were present at the scene, also reported being attacked by settlers. Luski, who reportedly harassed Ballal and other Palestinians previously, resides in a nearby settlement outpost.
Ballal expressed fear for his life, especially after receiving threats from Luski and other settlers. The filmmaker emphasized that the situation has worsened since winning the Oscar. In response to inquiries, the Israel Defence Forces stated that three Palestinian detainees were transferred to the police for questioning on various charges.
Despite the challenges faced by Palestinians in the occupied territories due to escalating violence by settlers, Ballal remains hopeful that his film can bring about positive change. “No Other Land” sheds light on the struggles of Palestinians in Masafer Yatta and their fight to preserve their land amid occupation.
