Overview

• Hamdan Ballal, co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary 'No Other Land,' was attacked by settlers and detained by Israeli soldiers in his West Bank village, Susiya, on March 24.
• Ballal, who sustained multiple injuries, reported being blindfolded and subjected to harsh treatment during his 20-hour detention by Israeli forces.
• The Israeli Defense Forces denied allegations of mistreatment, citing adherence to operational protocol, while Ballal claims he was targeted for his role in the film and his Palestinian identity.
• The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has been criticized for refusing to issue a statement supporting Ballal, contrasting with support from other film organizations such as the European Film Academy.
• The incident has reignited debates on artistic freedom, human rights, and the broader context of violence and displacement in the Masafer Yatta region documented in 'No Other Land.'