AL-TUWANEH, West Bank (AP) — Last week, Israeli soldiers demolished a shed belonging to a Palestinian family in this hilly area of the West Bank. This incident is just one of many that highlight the struggles faced by residents here, who fear they might be forced to leave their homes.
The community in Masafer Yatta was filled with excitement after the documentary “No Other Land” won an Oscar. The film showcases life in this troubled area, and many hope it will draw attention to their plight. In al-Tuwaneh, Salem Adra and his family stayed up all night to celebrate the Oscar win of his brother, Basel Adra, who co-directed the film.
“It was such a huge surprise, such joy,” Salem said, reflecting on the big night.
No Other Land follows Basel as he documents the destruction of Masafer Yatta, often risking arrest. He collaborated with Yuval Abraham, an Israeli filmmaker. The film has won numerous awards, starting with the Berlin International Film Festival in 2024, and its message has become even more urgent amid violent conflicts in the region.
The film’s release has also sparked anger in Israel, especially after the recent attacks that triggered a war. Salem hopes the Oscar win will make people aware of the situation in Masafer Yatta. “It’s a win for all of Palestine,” he said. “We need people to see what’s happening here.”
However, the acclaim has come with risks for the Adra family. Since the film’s release, they have faced threats, and their home has been visited by military personnel multiple times. Salem’s father was once detained, and the family’s car has been targeted by settlers.
Masafer Yatta has been a contested area for decades. In the 1980s, the Israeli military declared it a live-fire training zone and ordered residents to leave. The Supreme Court backed this expulsion in 2022, but many families have stayed, fearing they could be forcibly removed at any moment.
Recently, Israeli troops once again tore down a family shed nearby, increasing anxiety among residents. Salem shared that since the war began in October 2023, settlers have established new outposts around al-Tuwaneh, making life even more difficult.
Raed al-Hamamdeh, a local shepherd, spoke about the dangers his community faces. He described how the military uses drones to push livestock away from these settlements. “We can’t go far with our sheep,” he said, pointing to the ruins of a house that settlers had destroyed.
The film hasn’t received much attention in Israel since its release, and when it did, the reaction was often negative. Abraham faced backlash over comments he made during the acceptance speech that some felt overlooked significant events. Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar criticized the documentary, claiming it misrepresented reality.
Despite the lack of support, experts believe the documentary’s message is powerful and hard to ignore, even for those who haven’t seen it. In his Oscar speech, Basel urged the world to recognize the suffering of Palestinians. He expressed hope for a better future for his newborn daughter, wishing for her to escape the violence and displacement that many in the region face.
As Salem returned home with his 4-year-old son, he paused to check the cameras set up to monitor their surroundings. The ongoing struggle continues, but the community remains hopeful that their stories will be heard.
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Source linkMovies, Military and defense, Israel, Israel government, West Bank, Documentaries, Middle East, General news, Academy Awards Oscars, Entertainment, Miki Zohar, Yuval Abraham, Palestinian territories government, Raya Morag, Religion, World news, World News
