No Other Land, although heartbreaking and infuriating, is a necessary documentary showcasing the destruction of the occupied West Bank village, Massager Yatta, through the eyes of a Palestinian activist and an Israeli journalist.

“This is a story about power.”

Few films have left audiences as moved as No Other Land. This documentary, a collaboration of four young activists – two Palestinian and two Israeli – exists as an eye-awakening for every viewer along with being a desperate plea for a path towards true equality and justice for all in the region. The documentary follows Palestinian activist Basel Adra as he films his village, Masafer Yatta, being destroyed at the hand’s of Israel’s occupation. The erasure of Masafer Yatta has been cited as the largest single act of forced displacement ever within the occupied West Bank. 

Basel has been fighting his community’s expulsion since early childhood. Having been born in one of these villages in 1996, he was raised by two activists that often lead many efforts to save their homes. Resistance and loyalty to the land is as strong in Basel as it is with any Palestinian. While documenting the expulsions his people are going through, Basel befriends Yuval Abraham, an Israeli journalist and peace activist. Together, Basel and Yuval grow closer as friends while working tirelessly to expose the horrific ethnic cleansing to the world. Their genuine bond is at times overshadowed by the devastating inequality that exists between them; Basel lives under an extreme military occupation while Yuval is free and unrestricted to travel when and where he pleases. 

It is crucial to understand the historical significance and importance that Palestinians feel for their land. Masafer Yatta is a gorgeous and historic mountainous region in the Southern West Bank with nearly 20 villages. Many of the villagers lead a farming lifestyle and live in stunning old stone homes or even caves. These villages, or hamlets as they are officially called in international discussions, appear on maps dating back years before the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. In 1980, the Israeli military declared the land of Masafer Yatta a “closed military training” zone, and any Palestinian residing in it “illegal under Israeli law.” 

It’s nearly impossible to not be shocked and outraged by what Basel and Yuval bravely share in this film. Basel, despite being educated as an attorney, spends his time filming Israeli soldiers brutally and apathetically forcing the civilians of Masafer Yatta out of their homes, many of whom have been living there for generations. The reason being that the Israeli courts have determined the Israeli Army has more of a claim to this land to be utilized as a military training zone. 

“Calm down, they may arrest you.” 

One of the “reasoning” you see the Israeli military use to defend the expulsions is that these villages were not built legally due to the Palestinians not possessing any building permits. However, the hypocrisy is loud and infuriating when you take into account that The Israeli Civil Administration in the West Bank rejects more than 98% of Palestinian requests for building permits, yet settlers – who have been repeatedly declared illegal under International Law – are free to build and roam freely. Anything a Palestinian has built, whether a school or a water well, is considered “illegal” under Israeli Law. Due to apartheid restrictions the Israeli Government enforces on Palestinians living within the West Bank, they have nowhere to go if their homes are demolished. They are forbidden from travelling on certain roads, driving certain cars, or even walking in certain towns. Furthermore, since the tragedies that took place on October 7th, the situation in the West Bank has only gotten worse, as settler violence has dramatically increased, leading to a forced eviction of nearly 16 Palestinian villages. 

As someone of Middle Eastern (Lebanese) descent, the subject of this film wasn’t entirely shocking, but still all the more infuriating and devastating to witness. Choosing to showcase this documentary largely from Basel’s point of view allows us to feel to the best of our ability what it’s like existing as a Palestinian in a world that is far too often trying to erase your culture, history, and identity. Additionally, this allows those not of the culture to get a glimpse of how family oriented Palestinians, and Arabs in general are. For example, Basel’s mother not only is constantly worried about her son’s safety everytime he leaves the house,  but perhaps more importantly whether or not he is eating. She also insists on packing Basel’s bag for him, “…just in case [you] are arrested.” It’s simple moments like this that resonated with me on a personal and nostalgic level, reminding me of my own mother and her constant worry about what I’m eating or packing in my bag to take to work. 

Perhaps nothing showcases the resilience, hospitality, and true loyalty between Arab family members more than witnessing what the mother of Harun Abu Aram is going through. After being shot in the neck by an Israeli soldier for “illegally carrying tools” to rebuild his family home, Harun is paralyzed from the neck down. After the demolition of their home, his family, like many of their fellow villagers, is forced to live in a cave. Despite being physically disabled and needing constant medical attention, Harun’s mother is constantly being denied access to rebuild a home for her paralyzed son, and is constantly delayed trips to the hospital due to the apartheid restrictions of travel Palestinians are forced to endure. The most heartbreaking quote comes from Harun’s mother referring to her son’s conditions shortly before he succumbed to his injuries: “I hope Allah takes him and relieves him of his life.” 

A Palestinian risks getting killed by simply carrying their tools to rebuild their home or school, but an Israeli settler is allowed to roam the West Bank wielding armed machine guns with zero consequences. Fortunately, this documentary doesn’t shy away from pointing out the hypocrisy that exists. As Basel calmly states, “They shouldn’t forget how once they too were weak. They suffered like this.” Any viewer can tell how almost routine it is for Basel to witness this destruction, while the well-intentioned and much needed Yuval is still wrapping his mind around this. A powerful moment occurs when Yuval goes up to the faces of the Israeli soldiers, his fellow countrymen, and loudly declares that any destruction of Palestinian villages, “…is [my] business as it is done in [my] name.” It is a necessary reminder that there indeed are Israeli citizens opposed to what their government continues to do to other human beings. The friendship that exists between Yuval and Basel is of genuine respect, and a beacon of hope that peace and coexistence is possible. It has to be possible. 

No Other Land does what a documentary is supposed to do; shares the truth of what is and has been happening towards a community that for far too long has had their voices intentionally suppressed. As an Arab American, it remains baffling to me how hypocritical Hollywood and even many film viewers are towards their treatment, perception, inclusion, and acceptance of those of Middle Eastern/North African descent. Certain aspects of our culture (belly dancing, the evil eye, the tone of our music, etc.) and our history (Dune, Dune:Part Two) are white-washed and used as aesthetics for film and television (Aladdin, Black Adam), yet not only are our voices suppressed in front and behind the camera, but there seems to be an appalling lack of care for how we exist in real life. It’s this disturbing reality that makes No Other Land necessarily viewing for any viewer that has, whether intentionally or not, pretended to care about Palestinians, about Arabs, about the well-being of their fellow humans.

Grade: A+

Oscar Prospects:
Likely: None
Should be Considered: Best Picture, Best Film Editing, Best Documentary Feature

Where to Watch: The film, despite being acclaimed at multiple international festivals, has controversially not been acquired by any major studio.