When I look at Basel, I see my brother, but we are unequal: Israeli co-director of ‘No Other Land’
Powerful victory speech of No Other Land's makers take centre stage at Oscars
Los Angeles: As directors Yuval Abraham, Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, and Rachel Szor took the stage to accept the Academy Award for Best Documentary for No Other Land, they used the global platform to deliver a powerful plea for justice and peace in Gaza.
The acceptance speech by Abraham, an Israeli journalist, and Adra, a Palestinian journalist and activist, became a defining moment of the ceremony, as they called for an end to the ongoing war and the displacement of Palestinians.
Adra, who has been documenting the realities of occupation and displacement, spoke about the suffering of the Palestinian people and urged the world to take action. “We call on the world to take serious actions to stop the injustice and to stop the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people,” he declared, his voice filled with emotion. He also spoke about his personal experiences, revealing that he had recently become a father. “About two months ago, I became a father, and my hope for my daughter is that she will not have to live the same life I’m living now. ‘No Other Land’ reflects the harsh reality that we have been enduring for decades and still resist,” he said.
Abraham, who co-directed the documentary alongside Adra, emphasized the collaborative nature of the project between Palestinians and Israelis, underscoring the power of unity in storytelling. “We made this film, Palestinians and Israelis, because together, our voices are stronger,” he said. Addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the October 7 attack by Hamas, he added, “We see each other—the destruction of Gaza and its people, which must end, the Israeli hostages, brutally taken in the crime of October 7, who must be freed.”
Highlighting the systemic inequality between Israelis and Palestinians, Abraham spoke about the harsh realities faced by his co-director. “When I look at Basel, I see my brother, but we are unequal. We live in a regime where I am free under civilian law, and Basel is under military laws that destroy his life and that he cannot control,” he pointed out, calling for a political resolution that recognizes the rights of both people. “There is a different path, a political solution without ethnic supremacy, with national rights for both of our people,” he stated, making a strong appeal for peace based on equality rather than dominance.
Criticizing U.S. foreign policy and its approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict, Abraham questioned global leaders for failing to recognize the intertwined fate of both communities. “Why can’t you see that we are intertwined, that my people can be truly safe if Basel’s people are truly free and safe?” he asked.
The film ‘No Other Land’ documents the displacement of a Palestinian family from their home in the West Bank, showcasing the human cost of occupation. Made by a collective of four Palestinian and Israeli activists, the documentary serves as both a piece of storytelling and an act of resistance against ongoing injustices.
The film, a co-production between Palestine and Norway, premiered at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival on February 16, 2024, where it won the Panorama Audience Award for Best Documentary Film and the Berlinale Documentary Film Award.
#Oscars2025 🇵🇸 @basel_adra: “We call on the world to take serious actions to stop the injustice and to stop the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.” #NoOtherLand pic.twitter.com/2yVfryoAWC
— State of Palestine (@Palestine_UN) March 3, 2025
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Belagavi youth’s murder case projected as road accident, cracked in Uttara Kannada; Three arrested
Karwar: Uttara Kannada police have cracked a murder case in which a Belagavi youth was killed and his body burnt inside a car to make it appear like a road accident.
Addressing a press meet in the city, Superintendent of Police Deepan M.N. said three accused from Old Hubballi have been arrested in connection with the case. The crime was a pre-planned act driven by personal enmity, he said.
The case came to light on April 8 morning when a car (KA-04/MJ-8996) was found completely burnt in a roadside ditch near Talekumbri bus stand in Yellapur. Only charred human remains were found inside the vehicle. Initially, it was suspected to be an accident caused by overspeeding, and a case was registered at Yellapur police station based on a complaint filed by the deceased’s father, Jagannath Dhapale.
However, the father later expressed suspicion that his son’s death was not accidental, prompting a detailed investigation.
Taking the matter seriously, two special teams were formed under the leadership of Yellapur Inspector Ramesh Hanapur. On analysing technical evidence and CCTV footage, police found that it was a planned murder.
The accused have been identified as Abdul Raheem Basheer Ahmed Mujawar (32), Maulasab Bavahan Wada (36) and Dadapeer alias Aftab Mehboob Saab Balasangi (22), all chicken traders from Old Hubballi.
Police have seized the car used in the crime along with two scooters. The accused have been remanded to judicial custody.
Investigations revealed that the accused killed Nitesh Dhapale due to personal enmity and later set the car on fire along with the body to project it as an accident.
SP Deepan M.N. appreciated the efforts of Inspector Ramesh Hanapur, PSIs Rajashekhar Vandali and Siddappa Gudi, and the entire team for solving the complex case.
