Washington DC [US] : Hamdan Ballal, the Oscar-winning co-director of the documentary No Other Land, has opened up about his brutal attack and capture by Israeli settlers, revealing that he was mocked for his accolade during the ordeal.
In an op-ed for The New York Times, as cited by Deadline, Ballal described the harrowing experience, calling it the “worst moment of my life” and urging the world to maintain focus on the “near-daily violence” faced by Palestinians.
Ballal recounted that the attack took place on a “typical Ramadan evening” in late March. After being alerted by his neighbor that settlers were attacking, he rushed to document the violence but retreated out of concern for his family’s safety.
As Israeli soldiers approached, Ballal quickly ushered his wife and three children inside, warning them not to open the door. “They met me outside the door of my home and started beating and cursing me. Mocking me as the ‘Oscar-winning filmmaker.’ I felt guns bashing my ribs. Someone punched me in the head from behind. I fell to the ground. I was kicked and spat on,” he wrote.
“I could hear my wife and kids screaming and crying, calling for me and telling the men to go away. It was the worst moment of my life. My wife and I both thought I would be killed. We feared what would happen to my family if I died,” Ballal added.
The attack on Ballal was first made public by his colleague and No Other Land co-director Abraham, who also criticized the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for its initial muted response.
Facing backlash from over 900 leading Academy members who demanded a stronger stance, the Academy later apologized for its vague statement, which initially failed to even mention Ballal by name.
Ballal’s testimony serves as a powerful reminder of the risks faced by Palestinian residents and the urgent need for sustained international solidarity.