Hamdan Ballal, the Palestinian co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land (2024), was arrested by Israeli forces in his home village of Susiya, located in the Masafer Yatta region of the occupied West Bank. His arrest followed a brutal attack by Israeli settlers, which left him severely injured. Fellow co-director of the film, Yuval Abraham, confirmed the news through social media, sharing a disturbing account of the incident. Abraham wrote, “A group of settlers just lynched Hamdan Ballal, co-director of our film No Other Land. They beat him, causing injuries to his head and stomach, and he’s bleeding.” He also mentioned that when Ballal called for an ambulance, Israeli soldiers intercepted it and took him into custody. There has been no sign of Ballal since the arrest.
This attack on Ballal is part of a broader and growing pattern of violence against activists and advocates for Palestine. A harrowing video, shared by the Center for Jewish Nonviolence, shows masked settlers attacking activists in a remote, dusty field at night. In the video, one settler can be seen violently assaulting two activists, who attempt to flee to their car. As rocks hit the car, they urgently call for safety. The attackers also targeted American-Jewish activists, throwing stones, smashing windows, and slashing tyres.
The violence against Palestinian supporters and activists continues to escalate. Recently, student activist Mahmoud Khalil was arrested for advocating for a free Palestine, while Ranjani Srinivasan, a U.S. student, fled to Canada after immigration authorities sought to deport her. The U.S. government has been increasing its crackdown on pro-Palestinian protests, contributing to growing tensions. These developments come against the backdrop of the ongoing military strikes in Gaza, despite a ceasefire agreement in January, highlighting the urgency of addressing the systemic oppression and violence facing Palestinians.
At this critical moment, the documentary No Other Land has gained even greater relevance. The film, which chronicles the destruction of Masafer Yatta in the West Bank by Israeli forces, offers a poignant and timely look at the ongoing struggle for Palestinian rights. The documentary, which was shot between 2019 and 2023, follows the efforts of Palestinian activist Basel and Israeli journalist Yuval as they confront the Israeli military’s tactics of forced displacement. With the recent arrest of Ballal, the film’s exploration of resistance against Israeli military aggression is more significant than ever, serving as a reminder of the devastating effects of occupation on Palestinian communities.
