Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal, co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, says he is facing intensified harassment from Israeli settlers and soldiers in the occupied West Bank following his film’s global recognition. Ballal was recently detained after being assaulted by settlers, including Shem Tov Luski, and two Israeli soldiers while filming an attack on Palestinian villagers in Susiya.
Ballal, who was held overnight and denied medical attention, believes he is being “punished” for bringing international attention to the struggles of Palestinians in Masafer Yatta. His film, co-directed with Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Szor, documents the impact of Israeli occupation on Palestinian communities.
The Israeli military denies mistreatment of Ballal and other detainees, claiming they were arrested for “rock hurling and property damage.” However, human rights groups report escalating settler violence in the West Bank, with increasing military operations displacing thousands.
Despite the threats, Ballal remains hopeful that his film will help drive change, saying, “That’s why we made this movie.”
Source: Swifteradio.com
