By Muhammad Abubakar
Acclaimed British documentary filmmaker Louis Theroux returns to the screen with his latest project, The Settlers, an in-depth look at the controversial and deeply divisive issue of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Premiering this week on BBC Two, The Settlers offers viewers unprecedented access to life inside some of the most ideologically driven and politically sensitive Israeli settlements.
Known for his immersive style, Theroux embeds himself in communities where religious conviction and nationalist sentiment run high, engaging with settlers, Palestinians, and human rights activists alike.
The documentary explores the motivations behind the settlers’ presence in the region, the tensions it creates with Palestinian residents, and the broader implications for peace in the Middle East.
Theroux approaches the subject with his signature calm and probing demeanour, seeking to understand rather than judge, even as he confronts conflicting worldviews and stark realities on the ground.
Critics have praised the documentary for its nuanced storytelling and bold exploration of one of the most intractable issues in modern geopolitics.
As Theroux notes in the film, “What’s striking is not just the conflict, but the normalization of it — the way people live their daily lives in a place most of the world sees as a flashpoint.”
The Settlers is currently available on BBC iPlayer and will be broadcast internationally in the coming months.