By Víctor Sancho
Madrid, Dec 14 (EFE).– Five years of documenting life under Israeli occupation in the West Bank have culminated in “No Other Land,”” a critically acclaimed documentary now contending for an Oscar.
Its creators hope to galvanize international action for justice in Palestine.
The film, co-directed by Palestinian Basel Adra and Israeli Yuval Abraham, chronicles the unpunished crimes of the Israeli army in the villages of Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron.
It captures bulldozers demolishing homes and schools, settlers sabotaging water supplies, and soldiers threatening and shooting at those who defend their land.
Adra, who has documented these aggressions since childhood, began capturing footage to report events in real-time. “Back then, I believed that sharing these stories would spark action—that people and governments wouldn’t remain silent,” Adra told EFE in a video call.
However, years of global inaction have dimmed that hope.
“The West doesn’t want the genocide in Gaza or the occupation in the West Bank to end,” Adra said. “Videos of soldiers committing crimes are everywhere, but no one faces the consequences.”
Clinging to a Fragile Hope
Despite despair, Adra and Abraham remain committed to documenting the occupation. “It’s very hard to just stop,” said Adra. “For people like us, with no real power, it’s the one thing we can contribute to the fight for change.”
Abraham believes change will only come through collective effort. “A film alone won’t create change, nor will one person. But together, we can hope to make a difference.”
Both agree that lasting change depends on a shift in Western foreign policy.
“The people in power in Europe and the US are unwilling to act,” Adra said, pointing to symbolic gestures like recognizing Palestine as a state.
Abraham emphasized the need for more impactful measures, such as sanctioning Israeli settlements. “Without consequences for the occupation, change is unlikely.”
An Oscar Spotlight
“No Other Land,” winner of the Best Documentary at the European Film Awards and the Berlinale, embraces its activist roots to spotlight the plight of Masafer Yatta.
“The goal of this film was to give this community the recognition it deserves,” Abraham said.
As a leading contender for an Oscar nomination, the documentary offers an opportunity to amplify its message globally.
“I hope the film inspires some kind of energy or push in the world that leads to real international pressure,” Abraham said. EFE
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Palestinians Yuval Abraham (R) and Basel Adra, directors of 'No Other Land', and winners in the European Documentary category appear on a screen during the gala at the 37th European Film Awards at the Culture and Convention Center KKL in Lucerne, Switzerland, 07 December 2024. EFE-EPA/MICHAEL BUHOLZER
