Academy apologises for statement on Palestinian Oscar winner attack

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences apologized on Friday. This came after hundreds of members criticized the organization. They felt the Academy did not support Oscar-winner Hamdan Ballal, a Palestinian recently detained by Israeli settlers.

The Academy admitted it failed to "directly acknowledge Mr. Ballal and the film." Nearly 700 voting members signed a letter expressing their concerns. This group included many A-list actors.

Mr. Ballal co-directed the documentary *No Other Land*, which won an Oscar earlier this month. He reported being attacked by Israeli settlers before military detention. He was later released.

The Academy's initial response on Wednesday did not mention Mr. Ballal directly. This omission drew scrutiny from Hollywood.

More than 700 voting members rebuked the Academy with a letter. Notable signers included Mark Ruffalo, Javier Bardem, and Olivia Colman. Directors Jonathan Glazer and Ava DuVernay also added their names.

The letter stated, "It is indefensible for an organization to recognize a film...and then fail to defend its filmmakers." It highlighted how difficult it is to win an Oscar amid steep competition.

Winning without expensive campaigns is rare in the industry, they noted. The letter emphasized that targeting Ballal attacks all filmmakers who tell inconvenient truths.

On Friday, the Academy issued a statement naming Mr. Ballal and apologizing directly. They expressed regret for failing to acknowledge him and his film by name.

"We sincerely apologize to Mr. Ballal and all artists who felt unsupported," they said. The statement condemned violence anywhere in the world and abhorred suppression of free speech.

Mr. Ballal was freed one day after being beaten by settlers, according to co-director Yuval Abraham. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) denied this claim, stating three Palestinians and an Israeli were detained for "rock hurling" at security forces.

*No Other Land*, which won Best Documentary at the 97th Academy Awards, follows the fight over Masafer Yatta—a community of about 20 villages—and explores friendships between Adra and Abraham.