Israel releases Oscar-winning Palestinian director Hamdan Ballal
Hamdan Ballal (Photo: Getty Images)
Israeli authorities have released Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal, who recently won an Oscar, after he was attacked by settlers and detained by the military in the occupied West Bank, reports AP News.
Oscar-winning Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal was reportedly beaten and detained outside his home in the village of Susiya.
According to his account, armed settlers arrived with soldiers, assaulted him, and handed him over to the military. "They kicked me, hit my face, and laughed, mentioning ‘Oscar’ - but I didn’t understand Hebrew," he said. He was held blindfolded for 24 hours under a freezing air conditioner with no medical attention.
Attorney Lea Tsemel said legal access was denied for hours and the detainees received only minimal care. Ballal was released from a police station in Kiryat Arba with visible injuries and blood on his clothes - all three men were taken to a nearby hospital.
Violence escalates after Oscar win
No Other Land, a documentary about Palestinians resisting eviction in Masafer Yatta, won international acclaim but also caused a backlash in Israel.
Co-director Basel Adra said settler violence increased following the film’s Oscar win. Ballal was attacked during Ramadan while attempting to document settler activity.
"They came because of the Oscar," said his wife Lamia. "I heard him scream ‘I’m dying!’ - and saw him being beaten with rifle butts."
Ballal’s story highlights the vulnerability of Palestinians in conflict zones, where even global recognition offers no shield from violence and repression.
