Oscar-Winning Filmmaker Claims Assault During West Bank Incident
Hamdan Ballal, a recent Oscar winner for the documentary "No Other Land," has reported being beaten by Israeli settlers and soldiers in the West Bank village of Susiya. The incident occurred shortly after his film's international recognition, raising tensions in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. According to Ballal, the event unfolded during the evening of a Ramadan fast, when approximately two dozen Jewish settlers entered the village. He claims a settler named Shem Tov Luski attacked him, kicking his head and striking him, while soldiers were present. Ballal says he was then detained and held for over 20 hours, during which he was blindfolded and subjected to physical abuse. The Israeli military confirmed detaining three Palestinians and one Israeli civilian that night, though they have not responded to Ballal's specific allegations of mistreatment. Luski denied beating Ballal, instead claiming that Palestinians […]