Oscar-Winning Director's Family Targeted in West Bank Attack
Hamdan Ballal, co-director of the Academy Award-winning documentary No Other Land, has reported a renewed attack on his family home in the West Bank, nearly a year after his film shocked global audiences with its portrayal of settler violence. The incident occurred in Susya, within the Masafer Yatta area on the southern edge of the occupied territory, highlighting ongoing tensions in the region.
Details of the Violent Incident
Ballal stated that on Sunday, a group of Israeli settlers, who have been conducting a long-running campaign of harassment against Palestinian villagers, arrived at his home. This followed a recent Israeli court order banning non-residents from the area, a rare legal victory for Palestinians. Ballal called the police, but instead, two soldiers accompanied by a local settler leader responded.
"The army came first and immediately raided our house, attacking everyone inside," Ballal said, standing outside his small concrete home on a rocky hillside. He was not present during the attack, but his brother Mohammed was targeted. "He gave the soldiers the order, and then they called my brother and pushed him down on the ground asking for his ID," Ballal recounted. "One of them held my brother round his neck and pushed very, very hard so that my brother couldn't catch his breath. His face turned blue and my nephews when they saw it were scared he would die, so they took him directly to hospital."
Mohammed Ballal received medical treatment for neck trauma and bruises, requiring oxygen. Relatives from a nearby village who attempted to reach the house were intercepted by the army. Two of Ballal's brothers, a nephew, and a cousin were detained, handcuffed, and blindfolded for three hours at a nearby army base before being released at night on a road used by settlers, putting them at further risk.
Official Responses and Denials
An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson confirmed the detentions but denied the assault allegations. "On Sunday night, IDF soldiers detained a number of Palestinians adjacent to the area of Susya, after they refused to identify themselves to the soldiers. A short while after being detained, the Palestinians were released," the spokesperson said. "We emphasise that, contrary to the claims, IDF soldiers did not assault them and did not raid their home."
Broader Context of Settler Violence
No Other Land, which won the Oscar for best documentary feature film last year, depicts the destruction of Palestinian communities in Masafer Yatta by Israeli settlers, often with army complicity. The film's portrayal of brutality has drawn international attention to settlement-building, intimidation, and village clearances in the West Bank, described by human rights groups and a UN special rapporteur as "ethnic cleansing."
Ballal emphasized that the situation has worsened, citing a recent attack where settlers raided a Palestinian barn and killed sheep and lambs, recorded on video. "All the people who live in Masafer Yatta are farmers. They have to plant their land and graze their sheep in order to live," he said. He added that the army has prevented ploughing fields for vegetables and livestock feed, coordinating with settlers to stop grazing. "It is not a life any more," he lamented.
Legal and Political Developments
Recent government measures have intensified Israel's grip on the West Bank. On Sunday, Israel opened a land registry for the territory, allowing Israelis to claim ownership for the first time since 1967, a move critics say defies the Geneva Convention by transferring civilians into occupied land. This follows a series of actions rebuked globally, including by the Trump administration, which opposes annexation despite strong support for Israel.
In July 2024, the International Court of Justice ruled Israel's occupation and settlement-building unlawful, calling for withdrawal and reparations for Palestinians. However, Ballal noted that new laws merely formalize existing harsh realities. "These laws, these decisions, are new for the media, but this is nothing new for us," he said.
Impact of International Attention
Despite the Oscar win and global publicity, Ballal said conditions have not improved for Masafer Yatta residents. He hopes the film will foster generational change in international attitudes. "We hope the new generation can change [policy], but it will be in the future," he said. "Some of those who watch the film and know the truth can [enter] government or diplomacy and do something and stop this maybe in the future."
The attack underscores ongoing violence in the West Bank, where settler activities continue to threaten Palestinian livelihoods and safety, amid legal and diplomatic controversies.
