Oscars 2025: No Other Land wins best documentary as filmmaker criticises US

At the 97th Academy Awards, a documentary titled "No Other Land" won the Best Documentary award. Set in the occupied West Bank, the film sparked discussions about political solutions in the Middle East. An Israeli journalist stated during the acceptance speech that U.S. foreign policy is "obstructing" the achievement of a political solution in the region.

One of the winners, Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, expressed deep affection for his Palestinian colleague Basel Adra in his acceptance speech, pointing out the unequal circumstances they face. He said, "When I look at Basel, I see my brother, but we are not equal." This statement became one of the most politically charged moments of the evening.

Abraham called out on stage: "There is a different path, a political solution, without racial supremacy, that provides national rights for both our peoples." He also stated that U.S. foreign policy is obstructing the realization of this path, eliciting cheers from the audience.

Adra thanked the Academy for the recognition and expressed his hopes for his daughter's future: "I hope my daughter doesn't have to live the life that I'm living now, always afraid of settlers' violence, house demolitions, and forced displacement." He emphasized that the film reflects the "brutal reality that we, as Palestinians, have been enduring for decades."

The highly acclaimed film "No Other Land" tells the story of the struggle of the Masafer Yatta community (approximately 20 villages) and the friendship between Adra and Abraham. The film also focuses on Israel's occupation of the West Bank since 1967, and the expansion of Israeli settlements in the area, which are considered illegal under international law and have become a focal point of violence and land ownership disputes. Abraham also condemned the "horrific destruction in Gaza" during his speech and called for the release of "the Israeli hostages who were brutally taken in the October 7th crime."