Israeli troops recently demolished a Palestinian family’s shed in Masafer Yatta, West Bank, and the residents of the area face the threat of expulsion due to Israeli military actions. No Other Land won an Oscar for best documentary, highlighting the struggles of Masafer Yatta, as reported by international media.
According to a report, the film was co-directed by Palestinian journalist Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham. Basel Adra’s family in al-Tuwaneh celebrated the Oscar win, hoping it would bring global awareness. No Other Land documents Adra’s efforts to film Israeli demolitions despite the risks of arrest, portraying the situation realistically.
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The report states that the film has won multiple international awards, beginning with the 2024 Berlin International Film Festival. It gained more significance amid Israel’s military operations in Gaza and increased raids in the West Bank. The film has faced backlash in Israel, especially following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack.
Meanwhile, Salem Adra, Basel’s brother, hopes the film’s success will draw attention to their plight and that the world may help struggling Palestinians. Since the film’s release, threats against the Adra family have increased, including settler violence. Israeli troops have frequently raided their home, detained their father, and questioned their filming.
Masafer Yatta was designated as a live-fire training zone by Israel in the 1980s. Israel claims the Bedouin community lacks permanent structures in the area, while the residents argue they have lived and herded livestock there for generations, predating Israel’s 1967 occupation.
In 2022, Israel’s Supreme Court upheld an expulsion order after a 20-year legal battle. Around 1,000 residents remain in Masafer Yatta despite ongoing demolitions. Israeli forces regularly destroy homes, tents, water tanks, and olive orchards in the area, making daily life increasingly difficult.
According to international media, the latest demolition occurred on Wednesday when troops tore down another family’s shed. Since Oct. 7, 2023, Jewish settlers, with military backing, have established 10 outposts near al-Tuwaneh.
