‘No Other Land' Oscar Win Makes History for a Story of Israel's Destruction of West Bank
Rabat – 'No Other Land', a documentary that chronicles the Israeli destruction of the Occupied West Bank, won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature Film last night at the 97th Academy Awards, which took place in Hollywood's Dolby Theatre.
This documentary was made by a Palestinian-Israeli joint collective made up of Palestinian journalists, activists Basel Adra and Hamdan Ballal along with Israeli investigative journalist Yuval Abraham and Israeli Cinematographer Rachel Szor.
The documentary specifically depicts the destruction and ethnic cleansing in the Occupied West Bank, namely in Masafer Yatta, a collection of 19 Palestinian hamlets south of the city of Hebron (Al Khalil). The film consists mostly of camera footage and a narrative produced by Basel Adra as he resists the demolition of his disappearing hometown, which Israel intends turning into a military training zone.
While this documentary was the result of contributions by both Palestinains and Israelis, their fight is by no means equal; which is something that Yuval Abraham touched upon in his acceptance speech. 'When I look at Basel, I see my brother, but we are not equal. We live in a regime where I am free under civilian law, and that still is under military laws that destroy his life and he cannot control,' the Israeli journalist said.
'About two months ago I became a father, and my hope to my daughter is that she will not have to live the same life I'm living now; always fearing settler violence, home demolitions, and forcible displacements that my community Masafer Yatta is living and facing every day under military occupation,' said Basel Adra.
Upon receiving the Oscar nomination, the Palestinian activist said in an interview with independent outlet Democracy Now that his goal has never been the awards: 'We want people to see the reality, to see what's going on in my community in Masafer Yatta, but [also] in all the West Bank to Palestinians and their life under this brutal occupation.'
Despite being one of the most critically acclaimed documentaries of 2024 and having been picked up for distribution in 24 countries, no US distributor has dared touch it given the subject matter – reflecting the country's biased policy towards Palestine.
Up until the Oscar nomination, Adra filmed a group of illegal Israeli settlers terrorizing his community by assaulting residents and destroying their vehicles and water tanks. While such hostile acts are commonplace in the occupied West Bank, there has been a noticeable escalation of violence amid what Israel has dubbed 'Operation Iron Wall.'
Following the ceasefire in Gaza that came into effect on January 19, Israeli Occupation Forces and Israeli settlers launched a series of intensified raids across the West Bank.. These raids have displaced roughly 40,000 Palestinians across Jenin, Tulkarem, Nur Shams and El Far'a Camps by early February, according to the data from the United Nations. Tags: documentary filmsGaza Strip West BankOscars 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
4 days ago
- Morocco World
Palestinian Chef Wins Prestigious Award Amid Systematic Starvation in Gaza
Palestinian food blogger and content creator Hamada Shaqoura has been awarded the 2025 James Beard Broadcast Media Emerging Voice Award for his viral cooking videos from Gaza, where he prepares meals for children using ingredients salvaged from humanitarian aid packages. 'I'm speaking to you today from Gaza—not from a kitchen or a studio, but from a place filled with silence, fear, and uncertainty,' Shaqoura said in a pre-recorded video aired during the awards ceremony at Chicago's Lyric Opera House. Shaqoura had already been sharing creative content online before Israel escalated its genocide in Gaza in October 2023. But as Israel flattened neighborhoods and starved entire communities, he turned his grief into a mission: cooking for displaced children and turning food into an act of love, defiance, and survival. 'In a time when everything collapsed, food became my way of expressing love and safety,' he said. His videos—often recorded in the ruins of bombed-out homes—show him preparing simple, warm meals for children amid scarcity and ruin. The sound of children's laughter often pierces through the hum of Israeli surveillance drones overhead. 'I tried to give the children something warm, something with flavor, something that felt like home,' he added. As the genocide dragged on, and with Gaza under siege and starvation used as a weapon, Shaqoura co-founded Watermelon Relief—a grassroots initiative led by Palestinian volunteers to provide food and support to displaced families across Gaza. Though honored at one of the culinary world's most prestigious events—held during the James Beard Foundation's 35th anniversary—Shaqoura couldn't even attend the ceremony online. A complete communications blackout, the result of another Israeli strike on Gaza's already shattered infrastructure, left him entirely cut off. Still, he spoke of the award as a profound acknowledgment—not just of his work, but of Palestinian voices struggling to be heard, even under siege — even from under the rubble. Israel's blockade continues to choke off life in Gaza, including humanitarian aid, food, and medical supplies. Even creators like Shaqoura aren't spared. After three months of total siege, Israel allowed only partial deliveries of aid through the US-Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Since its launch on May 27, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have killed more than 330 Palestinians, turning the aid corridor into what Palestinian families and international observers recognize a death trap. Yet, with no other options, families risk everything for a bag of flour. As Israel's genocide in Gaza enters its second year, Palestinians continue to be recognized in Western cultural institutions that refuse to name their killer. Shaqoura's award is a testament to Palestinian resilience—but it also exposes the hypocrisy of a world that applauds their survival while arming and endorsing their destruction.
Morocco World
28-04-2025
- Morocco World
SIEL 2025 Draws 403,000 Visitors With Strong Turnout From Moroccan Writers Abroad
Rabat – The 30th International Publishing and Book Fair (SIEL) closed its doors on Sunday after welcoming more than 403,000 visitors, the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication announced. The turnout marks a 26% rise compared to last year, reflecting the fair's growing influence on Morocco's cultural calendar. Bringing together 756 exhibitors from 51 countries, SIEL offered readers access to nearly 100,000 titles, spanning literature, science, philosophy, and thought from across the world. This year, special attention turned to Moroccan writers living abroad, whose strong presence reflects the rising global popularity of Moroccan literature. This year's edition also honored the Emirate of Sharjah as guest of honor. The fair came to life through the efforts of the Ministry of Youth with support from the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra Regional Council and the local authorities. SIEL 2025 has further solidified Rabat's place as an important cultural capital. The city drew visitors and authors alike into conversations that crossed borders and generations, anchoring its role on the national and international stage. The fair also stood out as a true crossroads of cultures and ideas. It hosted a wide range of panels and debates discussing a great number of issues, ranging from human rights to new literary tendencies. The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) made a particularly strong appearance, engaging visitors in conversations around freedom of expression and cultural rights. Meanwhile, a dedicated space for children offered workshops and storytelling sessions, nurturing a love for books and imagination from an early age. Throughout the week, SIEL brought together voices from different horizons, turning Rabat into a lively meeting ground for readers, writers, and thinkers from across the globe. As the doors close on this year's edition with a bittersweet farewell, the anticipation for what's to come already begins to brew. Readers, writers, and culture vultures alike now turn their eyes to next year's festival, speculating about how SIEL will grow and thrill next. Until then, this year's fair's energy is certain to linger. Tags: Book fairMorocco SIELSIELSIEL 2025
Ya Biladi
18-03-2025
- Ya Biladi
Adrien Brody's train journey to Tangier in Kismet, Monos' cinematic travel campaign
Adrien Brody, fresh off his Best Actor win for The Brutalist, steps into another starring role—this time as the face of Monos' new Aluminum Luggage Collection. The campaign takes him through the streets of Tangier, where he reflects on travel's power to dissolve borders. As part of this campaign, the short film Kismet follows the two-time Oscar winner on a journey through Morocco. It begins on a train and leads him to Tangier, a city long beloved by iconic figures who roamed its medina and reveled in its vibrant nights—among them Paul Bowles, Henri Matisse, and many others. «Growing up in New York—a city full of diversity and unexpected encounters—ignited a thirst for adventure. I often find myself on location in different places while working on films, which is exciting; I love to explore, to travel, to get lost and find my way», Brody shared with Rolling Stone MENA while on set during the cinematic shoot for Monos in Tangier. «Traveling reminds me that borders are irrelevant. No matter how different cultures or people may seem, we're all just people living our unique stories», he continued. Shot by filmmaker Alexis Gómez, Kismet follows Brody as he explores Tangier. The short film is a nod to The Darjeeling Limited, Wes Anderson's 2007 film about three estranged brothers on a soul-searching train journey across India, much of which takes place on a train. In the film, Brody carries Monos' all-new aluminum suitcase, available in Aspen Silver, Champagne Gold, and Caviar Black. Since its launch in 2019, Monos has earned a reputation as «the Apple of suitcases», crafting minimalist, high-end travel gear with thoughtful design.
