introduction: A Filmmaker’s Reality Mirrors His Art

Hamdan Ballal, the Palestinian co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, which highlights the struggles of Palestinian Bedouins against israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, was briefly detained by Israeli forces. This incident underscores the volatile environment in which Ballal and his colleagues operate, blurring the lines between their filmmaking and the harsh realities they document. The film No Other Land received critical acclaim, including an Oscar for best documentary, bringing international attention to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. [[2]]

The Arrest and Subsequent Release

Ballal was apprehended in his native village following an alleged attack by settlers. According to reports, he was held overnight at a military base before being released on Tuesday afternoon. News agencies reported that Ballal showed signs of physical abuse, including bruises and bloodied clothing. He recounted being blindfolded for nearly a full day and subjected to cold temperatures,claiming soldiers mocked him during his detention. Following his release, Ballal was hospitalized along with two others. [[1]]

I was blindfolded for 24 hours and was cold all night. I heard the voices of soldiers laughing at me.

Hamdan Ballal, via AP News Agency

Settler Violence in Susiya

The events leading to Ballal’s detention reportedly began with an incursion by dozens of Israeli settlers into the Palestinian village of Susiya, where Ballal was born and resides. The Center for Jewish Nonviolence reported that the settlers engaged in acts of vandalism,with some specifically targeting Ballal’s home. Local sources indicate that the attack occurred during an Iftar meeting, the evening meal that breaks the daily fast during Ramadan.According to local director Jihad Nawajaa, eight Palestinians were injured in the assault. Ballal’s wife, Lamia, told the AP news agency she witnessed uniformed men striking her husband with their weapons. [[3]]

dozens of settlers attacked the iftar meeting.

Jihad Nawajaa, Local Director, via Reuters

Co-Directors Respond

Yuval abraham, Ballal’s Israeli co-director, shared images on social media depicting masked individuals throwing stones at a vehicle. Basel Adra, another co-director, stated he witnessed Ballal’s apprehension by soldiers, characterizing it as part of a broader effort to displace the residents of Masafer Yatta. Masafer Yatta is an area in the southern West Bank where both Ballal and Adra live,and the subject of their documentary,No Other Land.

This is how they wipe Masafer Yatta off the map.

Basel Adra, via X

Masafer Yatta: A Community under threat

The documentary No Other Land focuses on the Israeli demolition of Masafer Yatta, where Ballal is actively involved in preserving the area as a farmer and activist. Since 1980, when Israel designated the area as a military training zone, the original inhabitants, primarily Bedouin arabs, have faced displacement. The community routinely experiences the destruction of homes, tents, water tanks, and olive groves by Israeli forces.

International Acclaim and Accusations of Anti-Semitism

the film No other Land, documenting alleged Israeli human rights violations in the west Bank between 2019 and 2023, has garnered significant international attention. Though,the film and its directors have also faced controversy. Following an award at the Berlinale Film Festival, German politicians accused the filmmakers of anti-Semitism. the film’s release in German cinemas was contingent upon a statement from the Berlinale director denouncing any anti-Semitic interpretations of the film. The film has not been shown in the US.

Perspectives on the Attack and Detention

While the Israeli army claims the arrest of three Palestinians, including Ballal, was due to stone-throwing at soldiers, witnesses dispute this account. The army stated that the individuals were transferred to the police for interrogation, and that a violent Israeli was also apprehended. The specific reasons for targeting Ballal remain unclear. However, co-director Basel Adra believes the increasing settlement violence in the area may be fueled by the international recognition of their documentary. Adra himself reported being attacked by settlers recently, stating that attacks have occurred daily since their return from the Oscars, creating a sense of punishment.

We came back from the Oscars and since then there has been an attack on us every day. It feels like a punishment.

Basel Adra, via AP news Agency