Well stated Johnathan. I’m surprised and saddened that’s so few who share a similar opinion choose not to speak up about it. Makes one curious as to ‘what’ they’re conflicted over…….. —
On Sat, May 3, 2025 at 8:19 AM Jonathan Sheffi <[email protected]> wrote: > While No Other Land is emotionally impactful, it presents a highly > selective and distorted narrative of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The > film centers on the story of Palestinian activist Basel Adra and frames > Israeli actions in the South Hebron Hills as part of a one-sided campaign > of dispossession. However, this portrayal omits critical context, such as > the fact that the territory in question—Area C of the West Bank—is under > Israeli administrative control per the Oslo Accords, which the Palestinian > leadership voluntarily signed. Israeli enforcement actions in this area > often stem from unauthorized construction and security concerns, not > arbitrary “ethnic cleansing,” as the film suggests. > > The film also fails to acknowledge the long history of Arab rejectionism > and violence that led to Israel’s ongoing security posture. For example, > between 2000 and 2005 alone, over 1,000 Israeli civilians were killed in > terror attacks during the Second Intifada—many in cafes, buses, and > schools. In 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza, removing all > settlements. The result was not peace, but the rise of Hamas, thousands of > rockets fired at Israeli civilians, and the militarization of the Strip. > This history—painfully absent from No Other Land—is essential to > understanding Israeli skepticism toward concessions in the West Bank. > > Moreover, the film ignores internal Palestinian political dysfunction. > Groups like B'Tselem and Adalah, frequently cited in such documentaries, > rarely mention that the Palestinian Authority pays salaries to terrorists > imprisoned in Israel—payments that rise with the severity of the attack. > According to the PA’s 2023 budget, roughly 7% of its foreign aid is > allocated to such stipends. These policies incentivize violence and > undermine prospects for peace. Genuine progress requires dismantling the > Palestinian political culture that glorifies martyrdom and denies Jewish > indigeneity. > > Documentaries like No Other Land succeed at evoking sympathy but do so by > omitting key historical facts, legal frameworks, and mutual > responsibilities. We should seek a conversation grounded in complexity, not > propaganda. I hope those engaging with the film will also read more > balanced sources, such as Einat Wilf’s *The War of Return*, or any of > Benny Morris’ historical writings, to understand the fuller picture. > > Thank you, > Jonathan > > On Sat, May 3, 2025, 07:29 Stephen R. Low <[email protected]> > wrote: > >> >> >> >> *The GRALTA Foundation**screens* >> >> >> *The 2025 Oscar-Winner for Best Documentary **No Other Land* >> >> >> >> *Bemis Hall, 15 Bedford Road, Lincoln, MA >> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/15+Bedford+Road,+Lincoln,+MA?entry=gmail&source=g>:* >> >> - >> - *Saturday, May 3 at 10 AM and 2 PM* >> - *Monday, May 5 at 7 PM* >> - >> >> ★★★★★ >> *"Powerful Israel-Palestine documentary is essential viewing"* >> >> *(**Click here* >> <https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/sep/30/no-other-land-review-palestinian-israeli-documentary>* >> to read the complete review in The Guardian)* >> >> >> >> *Runtime*: 96 Minutes >> >> *Trailer: **https://youtu.be/jOOgJICcxu0* <https://youtu.be/jOOgJICcxu0> >> >> >> >> *Winner of 61 Awards, including* >> *Berlin International Film Festival, Panorama Audience & Berlinale >> Documentary Awards)* >> >> * Boston Society of Film Critics & Online Film Critics >> Association, Best Documentary * >> >> *Chicago Film Critics Association, Best Documentary* >> >> >> *European Film Academy Documentary Award, Prix ArteGotham Independent >> Film Award, Best Documentary Feature* >> >> *New York Film Critics Circle Award, Best Non-Fiction Film* >> >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >> Browse the archives at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >> Change your subscription settings at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >> >> -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > >
-- The LincolnTalk mailing list. To post, send mail to [email protected]. Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. Change your subscription settings at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln.
