‘No Other Land’ by Palestinian-Israeli team wins Oscar; They should be free and safe so that I can be truly safe

The Academy Awards have long been a stage for cultural and political statements, but few moments have been as resonant as the acceptance speech for No Other Land, the Oscar-winning documentary that unflinchingly documents the Israeli demolition of Palestinian homes in Masafer Yatta. The film was directed by a Palestinian-Israeli team composed of Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Szor.

Directors Basel Adra and Yuval Abraham used their platform to call for an end to the "ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people" and to demand a political solution beyond ethnic supremacy. Their speech, and the film itself, exemplify the power of cinema to expose injustice and inspire action.

Throughout history, films have played an instrumental role in shifting public consciousness and challenging dominant narratives. From Schindler’s List highlighting the horrors of the Holocaust to 12 Years a Slave forcing a reckoning with America’s history of racial injustice, storytelling on the big screen has a unique ability to humanize struggles that might otherwise be abstract statistics or distant conflicts. The success of No Other Land underscores this tradition, proving that documentaries remain one of the most potent tools for truth-telling and activism.

However, No Other Land also exemplifies the struggles that politically charged films face. Despite widespread acclaim, the film struggled to find a U.S. distributor, reflecting the industry’s unease with narratives that challenge mainstream geopolitical alliances. This speaks to a broader problem—who gets to tell their story, and whose suffering is deemed palatable for Western audiences?

A similar incident occurred at last year’s Academy Awards, when British director Jonathan Glazer, upon winning an Oscar for The Zone of Interest, used his acceptance speech to draw parallels between the Holocaust and the suffering of Palestinians. His remarks were met with intense backlash, highlighting the hypersensitivity in Hollywood to criticisms of Israel. Likewise, entertainment executive Ari Emanuel faced boos when he condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at an event in Los Angeles. These incidents underscore the tension within the industry and the risks artists take when they choose to speak out.

Artists have long been at the forefront of social movements, using their voices to amplify the struggles of the marginalized. In his acceptance speech, Abraham poignantly asked: “Can’t you see that we are intertwined? That my people can only be safe if Basel’s people are truly free and safe?” This recognition of interconnected struggles—of mutual liberation—is precisely what makes art so transformative.

Artists like Adra and Abraham refuse to be silent, even when their work is met with resistance. Their courage mirrors that of other filmmakers and creatives who have used their craft to shine a light on oppression, often at great personal risk. The Palestinian filmmaker Mai Masri, whose work has chronicled displacement and war, and Israeli director Avi Mograbi, known for critiquing Israeli state policies, are just a few examples of artists who refuse to be confined by nationalistic boundaries.

Basel Adra (Palestinian) and Yuval Abrahim (Israeli) made their position clear during their acceptance speech:

Basel Adra: “It reflects the harsh reality that we have been enduring for decades and still persists as we call to stop the injustice and stop the ethnic cleansing of Palestine.”

Basel Adra: "We call on the world to take serious actions to stop the injustice and to stop the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people."

Yuval Abraham: "There is a different path... Can't you see that we are intertwined? That my people can be truly safe if Basel's people are truly free and safe."

Yuval Abraham: "The foreign policy in this country is helping to block this path. Why? Can't you see that we are intertwined?

There is another way. It's not too late for life, for the living."

This collaboration exemplifies the power of unity in the face of adversity. Let's stand together for justice and peace.

As Jewish writer M.J. Rosenberg pointed out, the reaction from the Jewish community to No Other Land’s win has been mixed. He highlights the views of two prominent Jewish thinkers, describing them as representing different eras:

Peter Beinart, a progressive, leading Israel critic, and Orthodox Jew, observed: “This is what must scare AIPAC and its allies. They are winning politically but losing culturally. Their attack ads can't stop Blue America's shift in the collective consciousness on the question of Palestinian freedom. If politics really is downstream from culture, they're in trouble.”

In stark contrast, John Podhoretz, former editor of the New York Post, a staunch AIPAC supporter, and neoconservative editor of Commentary, reacted with outrage: “Congratulations to HAMAS for its Oscar win. Now let’s see them destroyed. Fuck you, anti-Semitic anti-Israel Hollywood filth.”

These responses illustrate the cultural divide over Palestinian representation in Hollywood, with one perspective seeing it as a necessary shift in consciousness and the other condemning it as an existential threat.

Faisal Kutty is a Toronto/Los Angeles-based lawyer, law professor, and regular contributor to The Toronto Star. His articles also appear in Newsweek, Aljazeera, Zeteo, and Middle East Eye. You can follow him on X @faisalkutty