Oscar-Winning Filmmaker Hamdan Ballal Recounts Brutal Attack and Capture by Israeli Settlers

April 27, 2025: Oscar-winning filmmaker Hamdan Ballal, co-director of the documentary No Other Land, has bravely recalled a harrowing and brutal attack that left him captured by Israeli settlers. In a poignant op-ed for The New York Times, Ballal described the horrific incident, which he labeled as “the worst moment of my life,” urging the international community to keep focusing on the escalating violence faced by Palestinians.

The attack took place on a typical Ramadan evening in late March, as Ballal’s neighbor alerted him to the assault by settlers. Driven by a commitment to document the situation, Ballal initially rushed to the scene. However, the crowd soon grew larger and more hostile, leading him to retreat for his family’s safety. Upon seeing Israeli soldiers approaching, whom he recognized from previous encounters, Ballal immediately ushered his wife and three young children inside and warned them not to open the door, no matter what.

To his horror, the soldiers met him outside the door, where they began to beat him mercilessly. In the midst of the violent assault, Ballal was mocked for his Oscar win, as his attackers taunted him, calling him the “Oscar-winning filmmaker.” He described the moment as physically agonizing, with guns bashing into his ribs, punches to his head, and kicks and spit directed at him. In the chaos, Ballal heard his wife and children screaming in fear, desperate for his safety. The terror that gripped him and his family in that moment was overwhelming.

Ballal recounted the excruciating fear he felt, stating, “My wife and I both thought I would be killed. We feared what would happen to my family if I died.” The trauma of that night, both physical and emotional, remains a haunting experience for the filmmaker.

The abduction and attack on Ballal were first publicly disclosed by his co-director Abraham, who strongly criticized the Academy’s lukewarm response to the incident. The Academy’s initial statement failed to mention Ballal by name and was criticized for not taking a stronger stance against the violence. After a collective outcry from over 900 prominent Academy members, the organization issued an apology, acknowledging the inadequacy of their response and calling for a more unequivocal condemnation of the attack.

Ballal’s recounting of his ordeal underscores the harsh realities faced by Palestinians, particularly as they endure near-daily violence and intimidation. Through his experience, he emphasized the need for the global community to continue shining a spotlight on the suffering of Palestinians and the ongoing conflict in the region.