Oscar-winning Palestinian director is attacked by Israeli settlers and detained, activists say
Associated PressAPR 2
Palestinian Oscar Winner Attacked, Detained in West Bank
Above: (L/R) Israeli journalist and filmmaker Yuval Abraham, US producer Rachel Szor, Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal, and Palestinian journalist and filmmaker Basel Adra at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, on March 2, 2025. Image copyright: Frederic J. Brown/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Palestine narrative
Israel has imposed a brutal apartheid regime in the West Bank. Monday's attack signifies targeted retaliation against the filmmakers for their internationally recognized work exposing Palestinian displacement. Ballal and Adra, both from Masafer Yatta, were targeted for documenting their people's struggle against Israeli military attempts to demolish their villages.
Pro-Israel narrative
Ballal was arrested on suspicion of throwing rocks at Israeli security forces and civilians and damaging homes and vehicles during a clash near Susya in the West Bank. Israeli forces apprehended Palestinians as well as an Israeli citizen involved in the violent confrontation for further questioning just to protect settlers and restore order.