Israeli director Yuval Abraham, co-creator of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, has criticized the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for its silence following the assault and detention of Palestinian co-director Hamdan Ballal by Israeli settlers and soldiers.
Abraham highlighted that while the European Film Academy and numerous other organizations expressed support for Ballal, the U.S. Academy refrained from commenting, despite appeals from several members, particularly within the documentary branch.
He noted that the Academy's inaction suggests an indifference to the plight of filmmakers under occupation. β
Ballal was attacked on March 24, 2025, in his home village of Susya in the occupied West Bank.
A group of masked Israeli settlers, some armed, assaulted him during the evening meal to break the Ramadan fast. Israeli soldiers reportedly participated in the attack, during which Ballal sustained head injuries.
While receiving medical attention in an ambulance, he was forcibly removed, blindfolded, and detained by Israeli forces. He was released the following day after interrogation. β
No Other Land, co-directed by Ballal, Abraham, Basel Adra, and Rachel Szor, documents the struggles of Palestinian communities in Masafer Yatta amid Israeli military and settler actions.
The film received the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature earlier in March 2025. β
The Academy's lack of response has drawn criticism from various quarters, with calls for the organization to condemn the attack and support filmmakers facing oppression.
Abraham emphasized that issuing a statement would send a meaningful message and potentially deter future incidents. β
