Hamdan Ballal: Palestinian Filmmaker Attacked by Israeli Settlers in the West Bank

On Monday, March 24, 2025, the world was shocked by the news that Hamdan Ballal, a Palestinian co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, was attacked by Israeli settlers in the village of Susya in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The incident, which unfolded in the Masafer Yatta region, south of Hebron, has sparked outrage and renewed global attention to the plight of Palestinians in the occupied territories. According to multiple witnesses, Ballal was beaten, blindfolded, and detained by the Israeli military, raising serious concerns about the escalating violence in the region.

Who is Hamdan Ballal?

Hamdan Ballal is a Palestinian filmmaker and activist from the Masafer Yatta area. He is best known for co-directing the internationally acclaimed documentary No Other Land, which chronicles the ongoing struggles of Palestinian residents resisting Israeli military demolitions and settler violence. The film, a joint Palestinian-Israeli effort directed by Ballal, Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Szor, won numerous international awards, including an Oscar and recognition at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2024.

The film's critical acclaim brought global attention to the systematic displacement of Palestinians, but it also attracted hostility from Israeli settlers and authorities. Ballal and his co-directors have frequently faced harassment and threats, highlighting the dangerous reality for Palestinian activists and journalists.

Hamdan Ballal Attacked by Settlers

On the day of the attack, Basel Adra, another co-director of No Other Land, witnessed the violent events unfold. According to Adra, approximately two dozen settlers, some of whom were masked and armed, stormed the village and began attacking Palestinians. When Israeli soldiers arrived, they pointed their weapons at Palestinians while allowing the settlers to continue throwing stones and destroying property.

Ballal’s wife reported hearing her husband screaming in pain outside their home. The settlers severely beat Ballal before Israeli soldiers intervened—not to stop the attack, but to detain him. Witnesses saw him being dragged away, blindfolded and handcuffed, and taken in a military vehicle, leaving behind visible bloodstains on the ground.

Eyewitnesses, including Jewish American activists from the Centre for Jewish Nonviolence, confirmed the attack. One activist, Joseph, stated that settlers threw stones at Palestinians and vandalised a water tank near Ballal’s home. Another witness, Raviv, told The Guardian that Ballal's car had been destroyed, with all its windows shattered and the tires slashed. Even more alarming: some settlers were seen wearing military uniforms, raising concerns about collusion between the settlers and Israeli forces.

Israeli Military’s Response and International Condemnation

Following the attack, the Israeli military claimed to have detained three Palestinians suspected of throwing rocks at Israeli forces. They also arrested one Israeli civilian allegedly involved in the violence. However, witnesses interviewed by The Associated Press disputed these claims, stating that the settlers instigated the attack and that Ballal was unjustly detained.

Attorney Lea Tsemel, representing Ballal and other detainees, reported that they were being held at a military base for medical treatment, but she had not been allowed to speak with them. This lack of transparency has sparked global outrage, with human rights organisations calling for Ballal’s immediate release and an independent investigation into the attack.

Why Was Hamdan Ballal Targeted?

Ballal’s detention and brutalisation appear to be part of a broader pattern of targeting Palestinian activists and journalists who expose the realities of the occupation. The co-director, Basel Adra, believes the brutalisation is a deliberate punishment for the global success of No Other Land, which has brought unwanted international attention to Israeli settler violence and military oppression in the West Bank.

For years, residents of Masafer Yatta have faced repeated violence, forced evictions, and home demolitions as Israeli authorities seek to expand settlements in the area. The region was designated a live-fire training zone by the Israeli military in the 1980s, making it legally easier to displace Palestinians under security pretexts.

Ballal’s work as a filmmaker has been instrumental in documenting these injustices. His arrest threatens his personal safety and signals an attempt to silence Palestinian voices and suppress critical storytelling about the occupation.

Wider Context: Rising Settler Violence in the West Bank

The attack on Ballal occurs amid a surge in settler violence across the West Bank, particularly during the ongoing war in Gaza. Since the conflict began, settler attacks on Palestinian communities have intensified, with many incidents going unpunished by Israeli authorities.

According to human rights groups, settlers have been emboldened by far-right Israeli politicians who advocate for increased settlement expansion and the displacement of Palestinians. The Israeli military’s failure to hold settlers accountable has further escalated tensions, with many incidents mirroring the brutality faced by Ballal and his community.

Global Reactions and Calls for Justice

The news of Hamdan Ballal's attack and detention has triggered widespread condemnation from activists, filmmakers, and international organisations.

• Amnesty International has called for Ballal’s immediate release and an independent investigation into the attack.

• The United Nations Human Rights Office has expressed concern over increasing settler violence and the targeting of Palestinian journalists and activists.

• Filmmakers and artists worldwide have rallied in support of Ballal, calling his detention an attack on freedom of speech and artistic expression.

• Palestinian authorities have denounced the Israeli government’s role in enabling settler violence and suppressing voices that expose the occupation.

The incident has also reignited discussions about the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and the international community’s response. While the U.S. and European governments have often criticised settlement expansion, concrete actions—such as sanctions or diplomatic pressure—remain limited.

The Future of No Other Land and Ballal’s Safety

Despite winning an Oscar, No Other Land continues to face challenges in distribution and visibility. The film’s success is a testament to the power of storytelling, but the attack on Ballal demonstrates the risks faced by Palestinian filmmakers who dare to speak out.

The international film community has a crucial role to play in amplifying Ballal’s story and ensuring that his work continues to reach audiences worldwide. Additionally, human rights organizations must keep pressure on Israeli authorities to secure Ballal’s release and prevent further attacks on journalists and activists in the West Bank.

Conclusion

The attack on Hamdan Ballal is not just an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern of settler violence and military suppression targeting Palestinians. As a filmmaker and activist, Ballal’s work has exposed the harsh realities of the occupation, making him a prime target for those who wish to silence Palestinian voices.

His story is a reminder that freedom of expression remains under threat in the occupied territories, and international pressure is essential to hold perpetrators accountable. The world must stand in solidarity with Hamdan Ballal and demand justice, transparency, and an end to the cycle of violence against Palestinians.