The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences apologized for not naming Hamdan Ballal, co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, after he was attacked by Israeli settlers. The Academy had initially condemned violence but faced criticism for not specifically acknowledging Ballal.
Ballal, a Palestinian filmmaker, was assaulted and detained by Israeli forces in the West Bank following the attack. The incident sparked outrage from film industry leaders and global organizations.
In a letter to Academy members, CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang admitted their response was insufficient. They stressed that the Academy condemns violence and the suppression of free speech. 
Ballal was injured in the assault but was released after over 20 hours of detention. He revealed he was targeted because of his Oscar-winning film.
No Other Land, a joint Israeli-Palestinian production, sheds light on the struggles of Palestinian residents in the Masafer Yatta area, who face eviction and harassment by Israeli forces. Despite lacking a U.S. distributor, the film earned over $2 million and won the Academy Award for Best Documentary.
The Academy’s apology followed criticism from over 600 members, including stars like Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Thompson, who signed an open letter demanding more support
