From left: Basel Adra, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal and Yuval Abraham pose with their Oscar awards for greatest documentary for the movie No Different Land within the press room on the 97th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Mike Coppola/Getty Photographs
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Mike Coppola/Getty Photographs
TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel’s tradition minister has referred to as the Oscar win of a joint Palestinian-Israeli documentary “a sad moment for the world of cinema.” Palestinian residents whose group’s struggles are depicted within the movie referred to as the award a morale increase.
The movie No Different Land, about activists combating Israeli demolitions of Palestinian houses within the occupied West Financial institution, received the 2025 Academy Award for greatest documentary. The movie additionally highlights the friendship between the Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers.
The Israeli tradition minister, Miki Zohar, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s conservative Likud occasion, stated in a social media publish that the filmmakers “chose to amplify narratives that distort Israel’s image” all over the world. He referred to as it “sabotage” in opposition to the nation, “especially in the wake of the October 7th massacre and the ongoing war.”
Zohar stated latest adjustments to Israeli public funding of movie tasks have been meant to dry up assist for such productions, which he referred to as “an industry that builds its career on slandering Israel on the global stage.”
In an interview with NPR, the top of Israel’s documentary movie discussion board referred to as the minister’s feedback “shameful.”
“We as a filmmakers community in Israel are facing challenges regarding free speech,” stated Roni Aboulafia, the chairperson of the Israeli Documentary Discussion board. “We’re trying to continue to make this work and continue to tell the Israeli story as it is, without fear and without looking away.”
Israel is minimizing public funding for comparable movies
Final month, the Israeli authorities enacted main adjustments to the best way it gives monetary assist for movie tasks, giving desire to business movies with massive box-office success.
The change in coverage has angered movie trade leaders in Israel, who argue the change means much less monetary assist for arthouse and unbiased movies that cope with extra politically delicate topics.
Israel has additionally elevated public funding for tasks by Israeli filmmakers from West Financial institution settlements — the very enterprise that the movie No Different Land criticizes as taking on Palestinian houses and land.
No Different Land didn’t obtain Israeli public funding. It was not screened in Israeli or Palestinian cinemas. The producers posted it without spending a dime viewing on-line.
Palestinians say the movie “uplifts our spirits”
Palestinian residents from Masafer Yatta, a group of West Financial institution villages that’s featured within the movie, inform NPR they hope the Oscar win may help stop Israeli makes an attempt to displace them.
Israeli troops have sought to evict villagers from the lands which Israel has deemed a army coaching zone, and Israeli settlers have harassed and attacked villagers.
“This film really means a lot to us. It uplifts our spirits and helps us move forward with confidence. It boosts our morale even more,” stated Mohammed Jabarin, who has seen clips of the movie.
Jabarin and his household say they’ve confronted a number of assaults from Israeli settlers amid an Israeli crackdown within the West Financial institution for the reason that Hamas-led assaults on Oct. 7, 2023.
Two weeks in the past, a bunch of troopers and settlers approached their house, pointing weapons at them, Jabarin says. Final yr, he says settlers beat him and his sons.
Ahmed Majdalani, an adviser to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, referred to as the Oscar win a “great achievement” highlighted by each Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers.
Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers give acceptance speeches
In accepting their Academy Award, the Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers referred to as for justice.
“ About two months ago, I became a father and my hope to my daughter: that she will not have to live the same life I’m living now,” stated Palestinian filmmaker and activist Basel Adra. “No Other Land reflects the harsh reality that we have been enduring for decades, and still resist, as we call on the world to take serious actions, to stop the injustice and to stop the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people.”
“We made this film, Palestinians and Israelis, because together our voices are stronger,” stated Israeli filmmaker, journalist and activist Yuval Abraham.
He referred to as for the tip of Israeli destruction in Gaza and for the liberation of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
“ Can’t you see that we are intertwined? That my people can be truly safe if Basel’s people are truly free and safe? There is another way,” Abraham stated, as members of the viewers cheered.
Daniel Estrin and Itay Stern reported from Tel Aviv. Nuha Musleh reported from Ramallah, West Financial institution.
