Oscar-winning director Hamdan Ballal was severely beaten at the hands of Jewish settlers outside his home in Hebron, West Bank.
Ballal said he started filming before returning home and trying to block settlers from entering his house. However, they attacked him, hitting him with guns.
“I feel, when they attack me, I will lose my life,” Ballal said.
The Israel Defense Forces and Police have denied involvement in the beating. Ballal was detained along with others on suspicion of throwing stones but denies any wrongdoing.
Ballal’s documentary focused on a community’s attempts to resist forced expulsion by the Israeli government. The number of Israeli settlers has increased significantly, leading to accusations of intimidation and displacement.
Critics say the right-wing coalition of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has turned a blind eye to settler violence. Ballal was released from the hospital after speaking publicly about his experience, saying he hopes it can change something for the better.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/oscar-winning-palestinian-director-hamdan-ballal-speaks-west-bank-hospital/story?id=120143286