Israeli attacks against Palestinians intensify one year after co-directors statement

Israeli settlers storm Susya village despite court ruling; family of Oscar-winning director Hamdan Ballal targeted.

A group of Israeli settlers stormed the West Bank village of Susya on Sunday, defying a court ruling that designated the area around Hamdan Ballal’s home as closed to non-residents. The incident occurred two weeks after the Israeli authorities issued the ruling, which was intended to restrict settler access to the area.

According to Ballal, Israeli army officers who were present at the scene sided with the attackers and failed to enforce the court order. One of his brothers was reportedly held in a chokehold by an army officer and hospitalized with breathing difficulties. Four other relatives of Ballal’s were detained for several hours as they arrived at the scene, but have since been released.

The incident is part of a pattern of violence against Ballal’s family, who are Palestinian residents of Susya village. The family has reported being repeatedly prevented from grazing sheep and ploughing their land, with some relatives having been arrested or intimidated into vacating their homes.

Ballal’s Oscar-winning documentary “No Other Land” follows Palestinian journalist Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham as they try to protect Palestinian homes amid tensions with settlers in the area. The film has sparked global condemnation, but Ballal says his family is now facing retaliation for its release.

In recent months, Israel has announced plans to expand its control over the occupied West Bank territory, including the resumption of land registration processes that rights groups say will accelerate the dispossession and displacement of Palestinians. Other incidents have targeted Palestinian residents, including the killing of activist Awdah Hathaleen in July.

The Israeli army did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for comment on Sunday’s incident.

Source: Al Jazeera