Oscar-winning Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal says he was brutally attacked by Israeli settlers, an assault he believes was triggered by his recent Academy Award win. Ballal, co-director of No Other Land, was detained by Israeli authorities on allegations of throwing rocks after what activists described as an assault by settlers in the occupied West Bank.
The documentary, which won Best Documentary at the Oscars, highlights the forced displacement of Palestinians in Masafer Yatta, a region designated by Israel as a military zone. Ballal recounted that he was beaten while soldiers aimed their weapons at him, describing the attack as life-threatening. During his detention, he overheard soldiers mentioning his name alongside the word “Oscar,” reinforcing his belief that his recognition played a role in his treatment.
Israeli officials deny any misconduct, stating that Ballal and two others were arrested for involvement in a confrontation and were treated in accordance with protocol. Meanwhile, Yuval Abraham, the film’s co-director, criticized the Academy for remaining silent, arguing that Ballal was not only targeted for his work but also for being Palestinian. Activist groups continue to document rising settler violence in the West Bank, which has reportedly intensified since the ongoing conflict in Gaza began.
