Documentary Film “No Other Land” Wins 2025 Oscar for Best Documentary, Highlighting Palestinian Struggle
The groundbreaking documentary film No Other Land has won the 2025 Oscar for Best Documentary, shedding light on the decades-long oppression faced by Palestinians under Israeli occupation. Directed by Basel Adra, a Palestinian activist, and Yuval Abraham, an Israeli investigative journalist, the film powerfully captures the harsh realities of life in the West Bank and the resilience of those fighting against forced displacement.
The film follows Basel Adra, who has been resisting the Israeli military’s efforts to displace Palestinians from Massafer Yatta, a region in the West Bank, since his childhood. Through his lens, viewers witness the gradual destruction of his homeland as the Israeli army demolishes homes and evicts residents to establish military zones. Adra’s personal story is a poignant representation of the broader struggle faced by Palestinians.
Yuval Abraham, an Israeli journalist and co-director of No Other Land, played a crucial role in bringing this story to the world. During the Oscar acceptance speech, Abraham emphasized the urgent need for global unity to end the ongoing destruction in Gaza. His heartfelt plea was met with applause, resonating with audiences worldwide.
However, the film’s success has sparked controversy in Israel. Israeli Culture Minister Micky Zohar criticized the documentary on his social media platform X, claiming that it failed to portray the complexity of the situation and instead presented a distorted image of Israel. While Zohar acknowledged the importance of freedom of speech, he accused the filmmakers of using defamation as a tool for international promotion, calling it an act of sabotage against the state of Israel.
No Other Land has not only earned critical acclaim but also ignited global conversations about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, human rights, and the power of documentary filmmaking to expose injustice. Its Oscar win underscores the importance of storytelling in advocating for change and amplifying marginalized voices.