In the 1980s, the Israeli Government declared control over a sizeable chunk of land in the southern West Bank to use as a military training site (called ‘Firing Zone 918’).  Roughly 1,200 Palestinians lived in the area, known as Masafer Yatta, and the first eviction orders were issued to them in 1999.  The residents took their battle to the courts arguing their community had existed (and been on maps) since the 19^th Century.  After decades of legal battles and appeals, the Israeli High Court of Justice sided with the Israeli Government in a final decision handed down in May 2022. 

There’s a splash of archival footage but No Other Land is a documentary which chronicles the time period between 2019 and 2023 in Masafer Yatta.  It is largely centred on two people.  The first is Basel Adra, a Palestinian who grew up in the area and is now organising protests to save his town.  They continually resist the advances of Israeli soldiers who are trying to knock down homes, schools, playgrounds, and infrastructure.  He shoots footage on a digital video recorder to record what has taken place.

The second is Yuval Abraham, as Israeli journalist who sympathises with Basel’s cause and is trying to bring it to the world’s attention.  It’s a challenge, however.  Yuval uploads his own stories and videos online but there’s minimal interest.  Given how many other problems exist across the globe, how do you make 8 billion people care about the plight of 1,200 ordinary Palestinians living in the middle of nowhere?  Without power and political clout (note the scene involving Tony Blair), little can be achieved.

No Other Land’s timeframe is interesting given the film was completed in mid-2023 – just prior to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war which began on 7 October 2023.  When asked in a CNN interview about whether the documentary takes on new meaning, Yuval answered with the affirmative.  Coverage of the conflict is now seen every day on news sites/channels – the opposite to when Yuval was trying to generate awareness.  He wants audiences to know “the world was not paying attention, almost at all, to the violent life the Palestinians are living under for decades before October.”

A few conversations feel staged and/or reenacted but for the most part, this is a powerful, eye-opening documentary where the footage does the talking.  It provides a 90-minute snapshot into the lives of an oppressed people and, just as importantly, we get to know and care about them.  One story you’ll remember is that of an elderly mum who, despite living in a cave, must care for her grown son after he is shot by as Israeli soldier and rendered a quadriplegic.

No Other Land is already regarded as one of the year’s top documentaries having been nominated at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards and the European Film Awards (where it also earned a nod for best film).  I expect it to receive more acclaim over the coming months.