Criticism of ‘No Other Land’ by Palestinian Rights Group
A prominent Palestinian rights organization has voiced strong objections to the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, claiming that the film, crafted by a Palestinian-Israeli collective, breaches the guidelines established by the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. This movement advocates against partnerships with Israeli firms operating in the contested territories of the West Bank.
Allegations Against the Documentary
The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), which operates in sync with the BDS movement, has accused No Other Land of violating “anti-normalization”principles. These guidelines aim to prevent depictions that portray Israeli occupation, apartheid, and settler colonialism in a normalized manner.
A Closer Look at the Film
No Other Land appears to be an unexpected target for pro-Palestinian factions. The documentary chronicles the ongoing destruction of the Masafer Yatta community located in the contested West Bank and showcases the collaboration between co-directors, Palestinian journalist Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham. Since its premiere at the Berlinale film festival last year, where it secured the Best Documentary award, it has faced significant backlash from right-wing and pro-Israeli critics, including Israel’s culture minister, Miki Zohar, who labeled its Oscar triumph as “a sad moment for the world of cinema,” accusing it of damaging Israel’s reputation.
Support from CAIR and Distribution Challenges
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), recognized as the largest advocacy group for Muslim civil rights in the U.S., has publicly endorsed the film, urging U.S. distributors and streaming platforms to facilitate its release in the United States. Despite its accolades, No Other Land currently lacks a U.S. distributor. CAIR emphasized, “The American people deserve the right to see this film.”
PACBI’s Response and Strategic Position
In a statement released on March 5, PACBI acknowledged the ongoing assault on No Other Land by Israeli officials and their allies, who perceive the film as revealing crucial facets of Israel’s colonial oppression, particularly in regard to the ethnic cleansing of Masafer Yatta. However, PACBI contends that the film is problematic due to its association with the Israeli documentary NGO Close-Up, which, while not providing direct funding, aided the filmmakers during the development process. Consequently, the group has called for a boycott of Close-Up, asserting that it contributes to the normalization of relations with the Israeli state.
Controversy in the Arab World
The film has sparked “simmering controversy”within the Arab community, especially following its Oscar victory and a speech by co-director Abraham that criticized the “atrocious destruction” in Gaza while also denouncing the violence surrounding the October 7th events in Israel. PACBI has critiqued some Israeli contributors for not recognizing the gravity of the situation, accusing them of drawing harmful equivalences that could undermine understanding of the realities faced by Palestinians.
Nuanced Position on Boycotting the Film
Despite their objections, PACBI has refrained from calling for a full boycott of No Other Land, deeming such an action potentially “counterproductive.” They argue that the film could still play a vital role in bringing attention to the Palestinian struggle against military occupation and ethnic cleansing. In their FAQ published on the group’s website, PACBI mentioned that prior to the Oscars, the group believed the risks of criticizing the film outweighed the benefits for the Palestinian cause. However, after its Oscar win, concerns regarding its “normalization” effects, especially within the Arab world, were raised, reflecting a strategic nuance in their position.
The BDS Movement’s Context
A spokesperson for PACBI highlighted, in communication with The Hollywood Reporter, that the BDS movement’s anti-normalization guidelines focus on institutional involvement rather than targeting individuals. The critique of No Other Land centers on its ties with organizations like Close-Up rather than the filmmakers themselves.
Awaiting Responses
The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to both Close-Up and the creators of No Other Land for comments but has not yet received any replies.