Palestinian Filmmaker Abdallah Motan Arrested Without Trial: A Call for Justice

Palestinian documentary filmmaker Abdallah Motan has recently faced serious challenges after his arrest by Israeli authorities. On January 13, 2023, Motan was placed under “administrative detention” for six months without trial or formal charges. This alarming situation has drawn significant attention from various organizations, including the Artists at Risk Connection (ARC), which has expressed profound concern for his well-being.

At just 30 years old, Motan is recognized for his impactful work as a film director, director of photography, and photographer hailing from Ramallah. He has made a name for himself in both Palestinian and international film circles, with a notable achievement being the special jury award he received in December for his film “Deferred Reclaim” at the 18th International Documentary Film Festival of Iran, known as Cinéma Vérité, held in Tehran.

Unfortunately, Motan was unable to attend the festival’s closing ceremony due to the ongoing turmoil in Palestine and Gaza. In a heartfelt note to the organizers, he stated, “Thank you for honoring the stories of the martyrs, the prisoners, and their families in Palestine; I wish I could have been present at the closing ceremony.”

Motan’s ties to Italy are particularly strong, having spent 18 months in Naples for a journalistic internship. He is slated to return to Italy this February to participate in the 21st AI Ard Film Festival, organized by the Sardinia-Palestine Friendship Association. This opportunity highlights his dedication to storytelling and cultural exchange.

In addition to his filmmaking, Motan has played a vital role in fostering local talent by organizing film workshops. One such workshop took place in the Palestinian village of Al-Zubaidat in the Jordan Valley, where he aimed to empower young individuals to utilize basic documentation and editing tools to share their life experiences.

Motan’s expansive body of work includes numerous local and international projects, with documentaries filmed across continents, including:

• Latin America
• Africa
• Europe
• The Middle East
• China

He has also showcased his work at various film festivals worldwide, further solidifying his reputation as a significant voice in contemporary cinema.

According to Israeli authorities, Motan was detained at the Al-Karama crossing while attempting to leave for the United Arab Emirates via Jordan. However, no additional details have been provided regarding the circumstances of his arrest. Currently, he is being held at the Gush Etzion detention facility near Hebron, a location that has faced criticism for its treatment of detainees and poor living conditions.

The ARC, along with organizations like the International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk (ICFR) and the IDFA Institute, has rallied for Motan’s release, urging Israeli authorities to safeguard the rights of Palestinian artists and cultural workers. They emphasize that Motan’s detention is not an isolated incident but part of a broader trend of targeting individuals within the artistic community.

Motan’s family and advocacy groups are calling for his immediate release and the dropping of all charges. Julie Trébault, Executive Director of ARC, stated, “Abdallah Motan’s detention highlights the urgent need for action to protect Palestinian artists and cultural workers.”

She further elaborated, “The targeting of artists and cultural professionals through Israel’s mass arrest policy not only silences individual voices but also undermines Palestinians’ right to participate in and engage freely with cultural life—constituting a clear violation of international human rights law.”

ARC has also recently addressed the arbitrary arrest of dancer and cultural activist Shaden Al Qous in East Jerusalem, alongside the tragic death of painter Fathi Ghaben, who was denied the opportunity to seek urgent medical treatment outside Gaza due to Israeli restrictions.

Currently, Motan is among at least 43 film workers and journalists imprisoned by Israeli authorities, a tactic seen as an effort to suppress coverage of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, as reported by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). This wave of arrests coincides with a newly implemented ceasefire, which has temporarily halted military actions in Gaza and allowed for the exchange of Palestinian and Israeli captives.

The CPJ has condemned these actions by Israeli authorities and reiterated calls for Motan’s release. His detention is perceived as a direct attack on freedom of expression, aimed at silencing voices that seek to expose the realities of the occupation to the international community.

The Tehran Times has also condemned Motan’s detention, emphasizing the critical importance of protecting artists’ rights and freedoms in the region. The collective outcry from various organizations highlights the pressing need for accountability and support for those in the arts community facing repression.

As the situation develops, the calls for justice and the protection of Palestinian artists continue to resonate, underscoring the vital role that creative expression plays in society.