Winning the Oscar for best documentary should have been a triumphant celebration for both Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers, as “No Other Land” showcased a collaborative effort from both communities that was recognized on the global stage. However, not everyone shared in the joy. The reaction to “No Other Land” mirrored the very challenges the film highlights. The Israeli minister of culture deemed the Oscar acknowledgment “a sad moment for the world of cinema.”
This gripping documentary captures the unsettling scenes of destruction and forced displacements in the West Bank’s Masafer Yatta from 2019 to 2023. The narrative unfolds through Palestinian eyes, detailing harassment by settlers and home demolitions by the Israeli military. Within this larger story lies a poignant subplot: the alliance and shared effort of two of the filmmakers, one Palestinian and one Israeli. Early on, the film garnered recognition, clinching the Berlinale documentary prize in 2024.
However, with acclaim came backlash. During the awards in Berlin, Palestinian filmmaker Basel Adra urged Germany to cease weapon exports to Israel. His Israeli counterpart, Yuval Abraham, noted that upon their return, they would face starkly different realities—one of freedom for him, and another of restricted movement for Adra—labeling it an apartheid system. This commentary infuriated Israeli media and unsettled German allies.
Before heading back to the Middle East, Abraham faced a torrent of hostility, including death threats and harassment of his family. Though this immediate danger subsided, the film still lacks streaming or cinema distribution deals in the U.S.
At the Oscars, the filmmakers maintained their stance. “ ‘No Other Land’ mirrors the harsh realities of our long-standing struggle,” Adra shared with the audience. Abraham added: “We exist under a system where I am free under civilian law while Basel is governed by military rules. … Can’t you see our fates are intertwined?”
To many, the image of four filmmakers—two Palestinians and two Israelis—holding their Oscars stood as a defiance of the region’s zero-sum mindset. Yet the path forward remains fraught, especially after Israeli culture minister Miki Zohar advised cultural entities against screening the film, arguing it symbolized why public funds should not support content perceived as anti-Israel, even though the film didn’t receive such funding.
This recurring pattern in Israel, where outrage prompts a wave of extremism, illustrates that speaking the truth there can be dangerous. On this occasion, criticism also arose from the Palestinian side. The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel highlighted concerns about the film but stopped short of demanding a boycott.
Suggesting that Palestinian filmmakers were mere pawns in this joint effort undermines their agency. Adra, integral to the project, is a journalist and activist defending his vulnerable West Bank village, A-Tuwani, from aggressive settler activities.
As cultural advocates, we understand the transformative power of art and film in educating and advocating for change. “No Other Land” offers an essential window into Palestinian life, which continues to deteriorate. Undoubtedly, supporting this film and its creators is vital.
Adra’s narrative is heartfelt, portraying his urgent struggle against tangible threats to his village. Shortly after the Oscars, he shared an Instagram story depicting settlers attacking a Palestinian village.
Equally crucial is Abraham’s involvement. As echoed by the head of a nearby village’s council, figures like Abraham are instrumental in preventing the expropriation of Masafer Yatta’s lands.
The Israeli government’s efforts to marginalize Palestinians and cast their Israeli allies as traitors resonate beyond the region. Following the Oscar victory, Miami Beach’s mayor even threatened to evict a cinema for showing the documentary.
The boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement, aiming for Palestinian liberation, ironically risk undermining artistic collaborations that critique Israeli policies. “No Other Land” stands as more than a documentary; it’s an act of bravery and resistance. The pressing question is whether we can harness this moment for unity, building on what the filmmakers call “co-resistance,” rather than allowing divisive forces to drive us apart. The promise of a better future rests upon such partnerships.
