The powerful documentary No Other Land, which sheds light on Palestinian efforts to resist home demolitions in the occupied West Bank, has won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature at the 96th Academy Awards.
A collaborative effort between Palestinian activist Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, the film triumphed over Porcelain War, Sugarcane, Black Box Diaries, and Soundtrack to a Coup d’État to secure the award on Sunday night.
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A Chronicle of Struggle and Unlikely Partnership
Filmed between 2019 and 2023, No Other Land follows Adra’s journey as he documents the Israeli military’s destruction of his hometown, Masafer Yatta. Located in the southern West Bank, the area has been a target for eviction as Israeli authorities aim to repurpose it as a military training zone.
The documentary captures Adra’s resistance against displacement and his unexpected collaboration with Abraham, a Jewish-Israeli journalist who helps bring his story to the world.
Highlighting the Palestinian Struggle on a Global Stage
During his Oscar acceptance speech, Adra spoke about the hardships endured by Palestinians under Israeli occupation.
“Two months ago, I became a father, and my hope is that my daughter will not have to live the same life I’m experiencing—one filled with fear of settlers, violence, home demolitions, and forced displacement,” he said, calling on the global community to take decisive action against what he described as “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians.
Abraham, in his speech, addressed the ongoing crisis in Gaza and called for a political solution that guarantees security and rights for both Palestinians and Israelis.
“We recognize each other—the horrific destruction in Gaza and the suffering of its people must end. The Israeli hostages, brutally taken on October 7th, must be freed,” he stated.
Criticizing Israeli policies, Abraham advocated for a future free from “ethnic supremacy” and stressed the need for equal national rights. He also criticized US foreign policy for obstructing a resolution to the conflict.
“Can’t you see that our futures are connected? My people can only be truly safe when Basel’s people are also free and secure,” he said.
From Limited Screenings to Global Recognition
Despite its critical acclaim, No Other Land faced challenges in securing widespread distribution in the United States. To meet Oscar eligibility requirements, the filmmakers arranged a limited one-week screening at New York’s Lincoln Center in November 2023.
However, the film gained significant international recognition. In February, it won the Audience Award and Documentary Film Award at the Berlin International Film Festival. It was also honored with the Best Non-Fiction Film award by the New York Film Critics Circle.
The documentary, which heavily relies on Adra’s personal camcorder footage, captures distressing scenes, including Israeli forces demolishing homes, bulldozing a village school, and sealing water wells with cement to prevent reconstruction. The film also portrays the plight of a Palestinian man who became paralyzed after being shot by an Israeli soldier during a protest. His mother is later seen struggling to care for him while living in a cave.
Tensions Continue in the West Bank
The release of No Other Land comes at a time of heightened tensions in the occupied West Bank, where over 500,000 Israeli settlers reside among approximately three million Palestinians. While settlers are granted Israeli citizenship and legal protections, Palestinians remain under military rule, with limited governance provided by the Palestinian Authority in urban areas.
Major human rights organizations have described the situation as apartheid—an accusation Israel denies. The Israeli government views the West Bank as part of its historical and biblical homeland and continues to oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state.
