By Hadiza Abdulkadir
The Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, which portrays the displacement of Palestinian communities in the West Bank, is facing significant opposition in the United States, reigniting debates over censorship and freedom of expression.
Co-directed by Palestinian activist Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, the film documents the Israeli military’s demolition of Palestinian villages to establish a military training zone.
The documentary has gained critical acclaim worldwide, winning the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 97th Oscars.
However, the film has struggled to secure mainstream U.S. distribution, with several screenings facing backlash. In Miami Beach, Mayor Steven Meiner called the documentary “one-sided propaganda” and “antisemitic,” pushing to terminate the lease and withdraw funding from O Cinema, an independent theater that screened the film. His actions have drawn criticism from civil rights groups, who argue that this amounts to censorship and an attack on free speech.
Yuval Abraham has condemned these efforts, calling them “very dangerous” and warning that accusations of antisemitism should not be used to silence criticism of occupation policies.
Despite the controversy, O Cinema went ahead with its screenings, resulting in sold-out shows and additional dates being added.
The situation has sparked a broader conversation about the portrayal of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Western media and the limits of artistic expression.
As the debate continues, No Other Land has become a focal point in discussions on censorship, free speech, and the complexities of Middle Eastern geopolitics.