‘We Made This Film Because Together Our Voices Are Stronger’: Oscar-Winning Documentary Sparks Debate
No Other Land, co-directed by Palestinian journalist Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, won an Oscar for Best Documentary for its depiction of Palestinian displacement in Masafer Yatta. As Simcha Pasko reports, the film, produced over five years, portrays Israeli forces demolishing Palestinian homes in the West Bank, fueling debate over Israeli policies and US involvement.
During the Oscars, Adra called for international intervention, labeling the situation as ethnic cleansing, while Abraham criticized US policy, arguing that peace must come with equality. The documentary’s success was celebrated by Palestinians and human rights advocates, who view it as a validation of long-marginalized narratives. However, right-wing Israeli officials condemned it as distorting Israel’s image, with Culture Minister Miki Zohar accusing the filmmakers of slandering Israel amid ongoing war and post-October 7 tensions.
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While many praise the documentary’s impact, some Palestinian critics argue it oversimplifies Israel’s occupation, questioning whether an Israeli co-director’s perspective can fully reflect the systemic nature of the issue. Others fear it portrays Abraham as a well-intentioned yet ultimately disconnected observer rather than tackling wider Israeli societal complicity.
To explore how No Other Land amplifies suppressed voices while stirring controversy, read Simcha Pasko’s article on The Media Line.
