Israeli-Palestinian film wins Best Documentary Feature at Oscars

Photo : Reuters

The movie No Other Land won the Best Documentary award at the Oscars on Sunday. The film tells the true story of a friendship between a Palestinian activist and an Israeli journalist. It shows how they deal with the long conflict between their people in the West Bank.

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Palestinian filmmaker Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham made the film together. Adra was born in 1996, and Abraham in 1995. They went on stage at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre to receive the award.

The film shows how the Israeli army forces Palestinian families to leave their homes in a place called Masafer Yatta. Soldiers destroy houses and remove people to make space for military training.

Adra and Abraham come from different worlds, but they become friends. However, their lives are not the same. Adra lives under military rule, while Abraham has rights as an Israeli citizen. This difference makes their friendship complicated.

While accepting the award, Adra said, "No Other Land shows the hard life we have faced for many years. We are still fighting for justice and asking the world to help stop this suffering and the removal of Palestinian people from their land."

Abraham added, "We made this film together because our voices are stronger when we stand side by side. We see what is happening—the destruction in Gaza must stop. The Israeli hostages taken on October 7 must be freed. But I also see my friend Basel. He is my brother, yet we do not have equal lives. I am free under civil law, but Basel is under military law, which controls his life."

He also said, "There is another way. We need a solution where both our people can live freely. But some leaders, including in this country, are stopping this from happening. Why? Don’t they see we are connected? My people will only be truly safe when Basel’s people are free and safe."

The film’s Oscar win has made many people talk about the conflict. The filmmakers hope their work will help the world understand that both sides need peace.