The Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land exposes Israel’s occupation and forced displacement of Palestinians, bringing global attention to decades of systematic oppression.
The documentary No Other Land, which won the Best Documentary Oscar, vividly portrays Israel’s long-standing occupation and the forced displacement of Palestinians, particularly in the Masafer Yatta region of the West Bank. Created by a collective of Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers, the film provides an unfiltered look at the struggles faced by Palestinians under Israeli policies. Despite facing backlash and censorship attempts, the documentary stands as a powerful testament to the human rights violations and land confiscation endured by Palestinians, challenging the global narrative shaped by Israeli influence.
The documentary No Other Land, which explores Israel’s forced displacement and occupation of Palestinian land, won the Academy Award for Best Documentary, surpassing competitors like Porcelain War and Sugarcane. Created by a collective team of Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers, the film premiered at the Berlin Film Festival last year, where it won the Berlinale Documentary Award. Shot between 2019 and 2023, this powerful production exposes the systematic expulsion of Palestinians in the occupied Masafer Yatta region of the West Bank, targeted by Israeli forces. Winning an Oscar not only brought global attention to Israel’s oppression of Palestinians but also cemented their historical tragedy on an international stage.
The Academy Awards, one of the most prestigious accolades in the film industry, serve as a platform that not only honors cinematic excellence but also shapes global narratives and raises social awareness. Hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) since 1929, the Oscars celebrated their 97th edition this year.
On March 3, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, the ceremony witnessed many memorable moments. Among the most talked-about films was No Other Land, which meticulously documents how Israel has systematically occupied Palestinian lands since 1948 and justified it under the guise of “settlement.” The film, produced over four years, provides a raw and realistic portrayal of how Palestinians have lost their land, homes, and lives under Israeli oppression.
Palestinians refer to the forced displacement, massacres, and ethnic cleansing that began with Israel’s establishment on May 14, 1948, as the “Nakba” (The Catastrophe). This devastating process rendered hundreds of thousands of Palestinians refugees, severed from their homeland. For nearly 77 years, Palestinians have endured Israeli occupation, struggling against the ongoing annexation of their land under the pretext of “settlement policy.” Since October 7, 2023, this occupation has escalated into an outright genocide. With Donald Trump’s re-election as U.S. president, the possibility of expelling all Palestinians from their homeland has resurfaced. This prospect has sparked widespread condemnation and heightened regional instability.
In this context, No Other Land plays a crucial role in exposing the Palestinian tragedy following Israel’s post-October 7 attacks. Though the film does not directly address the genocide that began on that date, it contributes significantly to global awareness. Additionally, it challenges absurd rhetoric from U.S. leaders, undermining their credibility.
Despite Israel’s dominance in global media and politics, No Other Land boldly unveils the reality of Israel’s 77-year-long occupation and its devastating impact on Palestinians. This documentary serves as a powerful counter-narrative against Israel’s efforts to manipulate international perception. With its firsthand testimonies and striking visuals, No Other Land provides undeniable evidence of systematic oppression and persecution against Palestinians.
No Other Land: A Firsthand Testimony of Israeli Occupation
This documentary offers an insider’s perspective, immersing viewers directly in the heart of the conflict. The collaboration between Palestinian and Israeli activists in documenting these events makes the film both gripping and deeply unsettling. Winning an Oscar has also brought backlash, including accusations of antisemitism and death threats directed at the filmmakers.
Much of the footage was shot by Basel Adra, who began documenting the Israeli occupation in Masafer Yatta at the age of 15. Adra’s recordings serve as a testimony to the harsh realities on the ground. Alongside Adra, the film’s directors include Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, Palestinian filmmaker and farmer Hamdan Ballal, and Israeli cinematographer and editor Rachel Szor. Their combined efforts deliver a raw and unfiltered account of the ongoing oppression.
At the film’s opening, Adra narrates in Arabic: “By the time I started recording, we were already vanishing. We have no land left.” This sentiment perfectly captures the essence of No Other Land. The film’s title reflects this stark reality, emphasizing the absence of any remaining refuge for displaced Palestinians. Adra presents a compelling depiction of systematic Israeli oppression and forced displacement.
The documentary immerses viewers in the violent expansion of Israeli settlements, exposing the depth of this state-sponsored colonization. In 1980, the Israeli government designated Masafer Yatta as a military training zone, forbidding Palestinian habitation. However, official documents reveal that the real motive was to expand illegal Israeli settlements and force Palestinian villagers out.
By displacing Palestinians and replacing them with Israeli settlers, Israel continues its aggressive expansionist policies. This process has led to the loss of homes, farmland, and entire communities, further deepening the occupation. No Other Land unflinchingly lays bare this brutal reality, urging viewers to witness a historic injustice unfold.
A Legal Struggle Against Forced Displacement
Born into an activist family, Basel Adra grew up in Masafer Yatta, a village in the rocky hills of the southern West Bank, designated as a forbidden area by Israel. For over two decades, its Palestinian residents have fought legal battles in Israeli courts to prove their rightful ownership of their land, grappling with growing despair.
The film documents this 22-year-long struggle, culminating in a controversial 2022 Israeli Supreme Court ruling that ordered the eviction of Masafer Yatta’s residents. Under this decision, Palestinian villagers would be expelled, and their demolished homes would be handed over to Israeli settlers. The documentary captures the implementation of this official expulsion campaign in painstaking detail.
Running for 95 minutes, No Other Land is primarily in Arabic and Hebrew, incorporating excerpts from Western media coverage. At times, Adra and his team directly comment on these news reports. One major criticism of the film is the extent to which Israeli filmmakers influenced its narrative. Another significant controversy arises from the inclusion of disinformation spread by Israel following its October 2023 assault on Gaza—specifically, the false claim that Hamas had “beheaded 40 babies.” The presence of such fabricated narratives in the documentary has been heavily criticized. This inclusion not only raises questions about the film’s credibility but also reinforces the misleading notion that Palestinians share some blame for the conflict.
A Strategic Oscar Win?
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has waged a systematic campaign of genocide against the Palestinian people. The unwavering support of the U.S. and its allies has enabled Israel to violate international law and human rights with impunity. The silence of global powers—who claim to uphold values of equality, democracy, and justice—has been widely condemned as sheer hypocrisy.
However, independent journalism and social media have increasingly exposed Israeli atrocities. Growing protests in academic circles, universities, and digital platforms are amplifying awareness of the Palestinian struggle.
In this climate, the Oscar win of No Other Land, a documentary highlighting Israel’s 77-year-long occupation, forced displacement policies, and settlement expansions, marks a significant moment on the international stage. While the film includes problematic elements—such as criticisms of Hamas and unverified claims about the war’s origins—these should not overshadow its overall message. Notably, the film subtly implies that both sides share responsibility, a narrative that may have contributed to its Academy Award recognition.
The film’s joint Israeli-Palestinian production also raises questions. Some speculate that its Oscar win serves as a form of Israeli “atonement,” allowing Israel to maintain control over the discourse while projecting an image of self-criticism.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials have reacted strongly to the film. Israel’s Minister of Culture, Miki Zohar, called the Oscar win a “sad moment for cinema,” denouncing the documentary as anti-Israel propaganda. Despite winning multiple prestigious awards across Europe and the U.S., the film has yet to secure a major American distribution deal, underscoring the censorship and suppression surrounding it.
Despite Israel’s media dominance, No Other Land stands as a testament to cinema’s power in shaping narratives, uncovering truths, and giving voice to resistance. No amount of disinformation can obscure the reality: Israel’s acts of mass violence and occupation are being exposed more than ever.
