Academy hit by backlash for statement failing to mention No Other Land director detained by Israeli army

The Academy of Motion Pictures has received backlash after issuing a statement seemingly intended to address the detention of Oscar-winning No Other Land director Hamdan Ballal without mentioning either the film or the filmmaker by name.

On Monday, Ballal was reportedly beaten by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank before being arrested by the Israeli military.

Another user wrote: “The Academy finally issued a statement and couldn’t be bothered to even mention Hamdan’s name.