[ISAFIS Newsletter #1] Documenting Conflict: ‘No Other Land’ and its Role in Raising Social Awareness
Written by: Fatimah Azzahra Staff of Research and Development
Honored with the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature earlier on March 2nd, 2025, the documentary No Other Land has garnered notable recognition, contributing to the increasing global awareness on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The film, which was co-directed by Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers, documents the ongoing displacement and struggles of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. Yet, ironically, not long ago, the increasing global attention came with a new round of increasing tension, with a recent attack in Gaza on Tuesday (18/03) by the Israeli side violating the ceasefire agreement and worsening the humanitarian crisis.
No Other Land presents the real experiences of Palestinians who have been forced to leave their homes and live under military occupation. Its main focus lies on the home demolitions and violent clashes between Israeli authorities and Palestinian civilians, particularly in the occupied West Bank. The directors, Yuval Abraham, Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, and Rachel Szor, have expressed that the film intends to raise awareness of the struggles experienced by Palestinians, which are frequently disregarded by mainstream media.
No Other Land was released at the beginning of 2025 to raise greater public awareness on the conflict, which has been incessant for decades. However, despite this, Israel has recently unleashed another round of strikes on Gaza, starting on March 18, killing over 600 people, including women and children. This has led to widespread protests around the world, including among Israeli civilians, with many calling for a more peaceful resolution to the situation. However, the Israeli government has maintained its stance, claiming the security risk from extremist groups. The continued violence has emphasized the worsening situation and the lack of progress in diplomatic attempts, especially taking into account it has shattered the ceasefire agreement which came into effect on January 15.
No Other Land has divided international public opinion into two completely opposing sides. Whereas human rights organizations have praised the documentary for its raw and unfiltered depiction of life in the occupied territories, Israeli officials and pro-Israel advocacy groups have expressed concerns that the film is brimming with bias. Furthermore, following its Oscar win, the filmmakers have made calls for international action during their acceptance speeches – an effort met with diverse responses ranging from praise to harsh criticism.
The Impact
No Other Land itself has received mostly positive feedback. The documentary has helped to share Palestinian voices across different platforms in the international wavelength. It has also shed light on the grim realities of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank. Advocacy groups have also cited the documentary in their calls for sanctions and policy change, urging governments to reconsider their stance and policies on military aid to Israel. Furthermore, the film has encouraged further discussion on social media, with activists using snippets of the film to raise awareness and build support for Palestinian rights.
The documentary has also triggered conversations about press freedom and the role of filmmaking in conflict zones. Journalists and documentarians have highlighted No Other Land as an example of the power of storytelling in shaping public opinion and influencing diplomatic discussions. Its raw footage of home demolitions, protests, and civilian casualties have been used by humanitarian organizations to advocate for stronger international intervention. However, despite the awareness No Other Land has raised, Israel’s latest military offensive shows that the situation remains challenging and there is no immediate resolution in sight.
Conclusion
The Israel-Palestine conflict has been a source of concern in recent years, with origins that date back to the early 20th century and escalating following the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. Despite numerous peace initiatives, the ongoing violence and displacement continue to have a severe impact on millions of people. As violence escalates, art and popular culture, like No Other Land, serve as a reminder of the urgent need for diplomatic solutions and humanitarian intervention in the region.
References
Al Jazeera. (2025, March 3). What Oscar-winning No Other Land is about and where you can watch it. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/3/what-oscar-winning-no-other-land-is-about-and-where-you-can-watch-it
Ebiri, B. (2025, March 3). ‘No Other Land’ is the year’s most powerful documentary. Vulture. https://www.vulture.com/article/review-will-no-other-land-make-it-to-theaters-in-america.html
McCready, A., Adler, N., Marsi, F., Uras, U., & Speri, A. (2025, March 21). Updates: UN ‘horrified’ by killing of Palestinians in Gaza, Israeli bombing. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/3/21/live-israeli-attacks-kill-almost-600-as-troops-invade-south-north-gaza
Ide, W. (2025, March 3). No Other Land review – stark, unflinching West Bank documentary. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/nov/09/no-other-land-review-stark-unflinching-west-bank-documentary
Asmelash, L. (2025, March 3). Palestinians were living under occupation before the war. A Palestinian and an Israeli united to show the world their reality. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/03/world/no-other-land-documentary-palestine-cec/index.html
United Nations. (2025, January 23). History of the Question of Palestine – Question of Palestine. Question of Palestine. https://www.un.org/unispal/history/
0 Comments