Just a few weeks ago, Hamdan Ballal was basking in the glory of winning an Oscar for best documentary as the co-director of “No Other Land.” The moment of triumph quickly turned into a nightmare when he found himself battered and injured, speaking to ABC News from a hospital bed in Hebron, West Bank.
In a harrowing account, Ballal described being viciously attacked by Jewish settlers near his home in Susiya on Monday. The violence, he said, escalated following his Oscar win, with settlers increasingly targeting him and his neighbors.
As he tried to shield his family from the intruders, Ballal was brutally assaulted, enduring blows to his head and body, even being hit with guns. The ordeal left him fearing for his life, as he recounted the relentless 15-20 minute attack that left him bleeding and in excruciating pain.
Despite his claims, Israeli authorities denied any involvement in the assault, attributing Ballal’s detention to suspicions of stone-throwing and property damage. Both Ballal and a Jewish settler were arrested but later released on certain conditions.
Ballal vehemently denied the allegations against him, insisting that he was the victim of unprovoked violence. His award-winning documentary shed light on the struggles of Palestinians facing displacement in the West Bank, a contentious issue exacerbated by the growing presence of Israeli settlers.
With tensions escalating and settler violence on the rise, Ballal’s ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict and human rights abuses in the region.
“The residents not directly displaced by the army are forced to defend themselves against violent settlers who intimidate them off their land. Critics argue that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition has either turned a blind eye to this violence or actively encouraged it, aiming to annex the entire West Bank. The government denies responsibility for settler violence, often blaming Palestinians for ongoing unrest, though occasionally holding settlers accountable as well. Netanyahu’s government, referring to the West Bank as Judea and Samaria, justifies its actions by citing terrorist threats against Israelis in settlements and within Israel itself. Activists claim that Israeli security forces, who control most of the West Bank, do not adequately protect them from settler attacks or pursue justice for settler violence. While the IDF steps in during escalated conflicts, prosecutions for settler violence are rare. Settlers justify their actions with religious beliefs, viewing attacks as retaliation for Palestinian terror incidents. Despite a recent increase in violence, these acts have been ongoing for decades. Ballal, recently discharged from the hospital, spoke to ABC News about his fear for his life, emphasizing the need to speak out in the hope of inciting change. The report was contributed to by ABC News’ Guy Davies, Mike Pappano, and Morgan Winsor.”
