Oscars 2025: Israeli-Palestinian production makes powerful statement

The documentary No Other Land, which explores the displacement of a Palestinian community by Israeli forces, won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature on Sunday. In their acceptance speech, the film’s directors urged the international community to take action to end the conflict and accused the United States of obstructing a resolution.

Co-directed by Palestinian activist Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, the film was the result of five years of work. It captures Israeli soldiers demolishing homes, evicting residents to establish a military training zone, and the expansion of Jewish settlements into Palestinian territories.

The documentary contrasts the starkly different experiences of the two co-directors — Abraham, an Israeli citizen, has unrestricted movement with his yellow license plate, while Adra, a Palestinian, lives under restrictions as his community’s land continues to shrink.

"No Other Land reflects the harsh reality we have endured for decades, and we continue to resist while calling on the world to take meaningful action to end the injustice and stop the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people," Adra said upon accepting the award.

Standing beside him, Abraham emphasised their joint effort in making the film. "We made this film as Palestinians and Israelis because our voices are stronger together. We witness the horrific destruction in Gaza, which must end, and the Israeli hostages taken in the 7 October (2023) attack, who must be freed," he stated.

He also addressed the systemic inequality between them: "When I look at Basel, I see my brother — but we are not equal. I live under civilian law with freedom, while Basel lives under military law that controls and destroys his life."

Calling for a different path forward, Abraham advocated for a political solution that ensures equal rights for both peoples, rejecting any form of ethnic dominance. He also criticised US foreign policy, stating:

"The policies of this country are helping to block the path to peace. But can’t you see that we are connected? My people can only be truly safe when Basel’s people are also free and secure. There is another way. It’s not too late to choose life."

Challenges in US distribution

The documentary’s success at major film festivals in Europe and the US has yet to translate into a distribution deal in the United States. Speaking to Deadline last month, Abraham suggested that political considerations were behind the hesitation from US distributors.

"I believe it’s clear that it’s for political reasons. I hope that changes," he said, adding that rather than wait for a theatrical release, the filmmakers opted to screen the documentary independently in nearly 100 theaters.

Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump’s recent suggestion that Palestinians should emigrate from Gaza to Egypt or Jordan has been widely condemned across the Middle East and beyond, with critics warning that such a move would have destabilizing consequences.

With agency inputs