By Sophia Madeb, Staff Writer
Behind every person lies a story shaped by their own truths, beliefs and experiences. But do their truths always align with the stories of others? The current events in the Middle East have shattered the world into two opposing narratives, each burdened by loss, pain and devastation, leaving the general public caught between two contrasting perspectives and struggling to recognize which side is moral and which side is unjust.
The critically acclaimed documentary No Other Land was released internationally in February 2024 with a limited U.S release on January 31, 2025. It explores the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict using digital journalism and film, highlighting political change and influencing public opinion.
No Other Land was primarily filmed on a camcorder by pro-Palestinian activist Basel Adra, a resident of the West Bank and co-director of the film. The documentary, spanning three years of production from 2019 until 2023, captures Adra’s life in a small village in the southern West Bank, named Masafer Yatta, an area under Israeli control. As the film progresses, Adra documents his struggles as well as the continuous conflicts with the Israeli government and the people of the West Bank.
The film carries an undeniable element of authenticity, consisting largely of raw firsthand footage that does not shy away from graphic and emotional moments. However, it is heavily one-sided, focusing on the Palestinian experience while neglecting the Israeli perspective.
It depicts the Israeli Defense Forces demolishing homes, shutting down water and electricity and repurposing the village into a military zone. While it effectively highlights the suffering of the Palestinian people, it fails to explore the motivations behind the Israeli government’s actions. Defense is at the core of Israel’s mission to protect its citizens from ongoing threats, but the film does not acknowledge the reason such security measures exist or the dangers that necessitate them. It is easy to believe what one sees and hears; therefore the general public that watches a documentary like this that is heavily one-sided can hold a dangerous political persuasion.
The tone of this documentary is rooted in a deep, twisted anger, reflecting the hostility that defines the ongoing conflict. A key issue the film reveals is how both sides communicate, not through thoughtful dialogue and respected discussion, but through heated shouting. As anger dominates, the resolution surrenders. The same animosity displayed in the film has largely affected society outside of the Middle East, reaching college campuses where discussions have turned into confrontation, with both sides raising shields behind their protected beliefs rather than seeking understanding. Hate fuels violence and violence only leads to destruction.
Peace cannot be brought about from this hate, nor can it be achieved by ensuring one side’s satisfaction at the expense of the other’s suffering. No Other Land highlights the Palestinian side as a full victim. It might be a difficult truth but no one is solely the victim and no one is solely the oppressor; both sides carry the pain of victimhood and the burden of oppression. No form of government is perfect, and each side needs to own up to their actions.
Despite its political leanings, the film offers a different perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Adra incorporates his blossoming relationship with Israeli Journalist Yuval Abraham, the other co-director of this film. These two men lived in close proximity but were raised in different cultures and shaped by foreign faiths. Together they found a common ground shared by their homeland.
Their friendship symbolizes a moment of unity, demonstrating that peace is possible when individuals prioritize coexistence over division. However, true peace requires more than symbolic gestures. It demands a solution that ensures safety and dignity for both the Israelis and the Palestinians. The film subtly hints at this possibility but stops short of offering a tangible path forward. Moreover, there are Israelis like Abraham advocating for peace especially in areas near the Palestinians; however, these are the same people and places, such as Kfar Aza, that fought for coexistence but were still attacked on October 7, 2023.
The documentary gained significant recognition, earning an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. The night of the Oscars is meant to bring awareness to the messages of movies, whether political, cultural or social. In their acceptance speech, Adra and Abraham emphasized the urgency for peace, the need for mutual understanding and the return of Israeli hostages. However, Adra used vulgar words towards the Israeli government and the people, mentioning Israel as ethnic cleanser, colonizer, and a form of occupation in which the Palestinian resistance is justified.
Beyond their controversy, their message stressed a truth often lost in political debates: hate has fractured the world. Its cracks have divided people who, together, can achieve and create multiple worlds. Unity strengthens. War can bring about unimaginable cruelty but in times of conflict, the true heroes are the ones who set aside their grievances to pursue peace to bring light and harmony back to the world.
No Other Land is not an easy film to watch. As a Jew who supports Israel, I found myself deeply unsettled during many moments of the film and did not always agree with its perspective. However, it provides an important – although incomplete – viewpoint of the complexities of the plaguing conflict.
I recommend watching this film with a grain of salt. It is definitely not a fun watch and should be viewed with a critical eye, understanding the difficult questions the film raises, bringing awareness to the flaws and issues of the Middle Eastern conflict.
Photo Caption: Adra (second from left) and Abraham (third from left) at a Q & A after a screening of ‘No Other Land.’
Photo Credit: Shikeishu / Wikimedia Commons