There’s a particular scene that takes place in a car in “No Other Land” – Basel, a Palestinian activist living in the Masafer Yatta community in the West Bank, is driving. Yuval, an Israeli journalist, sits in the passenger seat, fretting over the lack of traction his articles about the forced expulsion of Palestinians from Masafer Yatta have been getting so far.
On the one hand, he’s not that surprised. Earlier in the film, someone asks Yuval if people are really interested in reading about Israel’s demolition of homes and communities in the mountain community of Masafer Yatta. His answer? “Honestly? Not many.” And yet, Yuval clearly feels a vested interest in writing this story anyway. When one of the Israeli soldiers tasked with enacting the destruction asks him why he cares, he answers: “I care because it’s all done in my name.”
Basel lightly, but firmly pushes back at Yuval’s good intentions, at his well-meaning belief that if his articles get enough clicks, he can somehow make a difference. You act like you can end the occupation in ten days, Basel says. This is a struggle that has been going on for decades – one that requires patience.
Read Sammie’s full review on Rough Draft
