Anger in Israel Over Oscar Win for Palestinian-Israeli Film
Israeli Minister of Culture Miki Zohar condemned the Oscar win of the documentary No Other Land on Monday, which was awarded Best Feature Documentary at the 96th Academy Awards.
Zohar wrote on his X account: “The victory of No Other Land at the Oscars is a sad moment for the world of cinema,” accusing the filmmakers of promoting narratives that distort Israel’s image internationally.
The documentary, a Palestinian-Israeli production, sheds light on Israeli military actions in the West Bank, including home demolitions. It follows the friendship between a Palestinian activist and an Israeli journalist, highlighting how their relationship is tested by the stark contrast in their living conditions.
Accepting the award at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Palestinian Basil Adra (born 1996) and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham (born 1995) called on the world to take serious action against injustice and ethnic cleansing in Palestine.
Abraham stated: “When I look at Basil, I see my brother, but we are not equal. I live under civil law, while Basil is subject to military law that controls and destroys his life.”
He continued: “Can’t you see how our lives are intertwined? My people can only be truly safe if Basil’s people are truly free.” He emphasized that it is not too late for change.
The film was shot over four years (2019–2023) and completed just days before the October 7, 2023 attack.
