In solidarity with Hamdan Ballal
We at Arab Film Days are horrified by the news that director Hamdan Ballal, one of the directors behind NO OTHER LAND, has been attacked by armed Israeli settlers in the West Bank and handed over to the Israeli military.
No Other Land is an important testimony to the injustice Palestinians in the West Bank face on a daily basis. It demonstrates the power of documentary film and the importance of freedom of expression. We stand in solidarity with the film’s directors and demand the immediate release of Hamdan Ballal, and that the illegal settlers behind the attack – as well as the Israeli military – be held accountable.
Israel’s assaults on Palestinian journalists and artists, and on the Palestinian people as a whole, must have consequences and face stronger international opposition.
Our thoughts are with Hamdan, his family, and his co-directors Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Szor.
UPDATE: As far as we understand, Hamdan has now been released and is receiving treatment.