Los Angeles: The directors of "No Other Land," a documentary spotlighting life in a West Bank village under Israeli military occupation, which clinched the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, have called for global action to halt injustice against the Palestinian people.
According to Anadolu Agency, in his acceptance speech, co-director Basel Adra, a Palestinian activist from Masafer Yatta in the West Bank, made a heartfelt plea for the world to take serious actions to stop the injustice and ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people. Adra expressed his hopes for his newborn daughter, wishing she would not have to endure the same life he is experiencing.
Yuval Abraham, an Israeli investigative journalist and co-director, described Adra as his 'brother,' while lamenting their unequal treatment under differing legal systems. Abraham highlighted the disparities, stating that he lives freely under civilian law, while Adra is subject to military laws that adversely impact his life.
Abraham emphasized the urgent need to end the violence that has been pervasive in the Middle East for decades, noting its escalation following the Palestinian group Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent deadly Israeli offensive in Gaza. He underscored the collaborative nature of the film, made by both Palestinians and Israelis, and stressed that their shared voices amplify their message for peace and coexistence.
He further condemned the ongoing violence and called for the immediate release of Israeli hostages taken on October 7. Abraham urged the international community to seek a political resolution to the conflict, advocating for a future where neither side dominates and both peoples are accorded their rightful place.
Abraham was also critical of the US government's foreign policy, accusing it of impeding progress towards a peaceful solution. Despite "No Other Land" receiving critical acclaim and being one of the top-reviewed documentaries of the year, it did not secure theatrical distribution in the US, which the filmmakers attributed to the political sensitivities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The documentary was, however, showcased in independent theaters across select cities, and digital screeners were distributed to Academy voters.