A Night of Terror for Basel Adra

In a harrowing incident that reverberates through the heart of the West Bank, acclaimed Palestinian director Basel Adra has reported a shocking raid conducted by Israeli soldiers at his family home. Known for his Oscar-winning documentary, Adra was away when armed forces burst in, searching for him while rifling through his wife Suha’s phone.

Settler Violence Escalates

The turmoil escalated when Israeli settlers attacked Adra’s village, injuring two of his brothers and a cousin. Adra, who rushed to the hospital to support his family, received the news of the soldiers’ invasion through family members. The soldiers were reportedly looking for information on Adra’s whereabouts.

A Father’s Fear

Amidst the chaos, Adra’s nine-month-old daughter was at home, raising the stakes of this distressing situation. He was unable to return home due to soldiers blocking access and feared for his safety, worried that he might also be detained.

Official Justifications and Ground Realities

The Israeli military claimed the incursion was justified after Palestinians allegedly threw rocks, injuring two civilians. They stated that troops remained in the village to conduct searches and question locals, further deepening the sense of oppression felt by residents.

Chronicling Violence and Fear

Adra, who has dedicated his career to documenting settler violence in the Masafer Yatta region, expressed that this was not an isolated incident. He described the actions of both the settlers and soldiers as part of a systematic effort to instill fear in the Palestinian population. “The whole system is built to attack us, to terrify us, to make us very scared,” he lamented.

Concerns for a Creative Voice

His co-director, Yuval Abraham, shared his deep concerns for Adra’s safety, commenting on the troubling pattern: Israeli settlers attack Palestinian villages, only to be followed by military action against the Palestinians. This vicious cycle of violence has become all too familiar.

No Other Land: A Fight Against Oppression

Adra's Oscar-winning documentary, "No Other Land," chronicles the struggle of residents fighting to protect their homes from demolition attempts by the Israeli military. The film has garnered international acclaim, kicking off its accolades at the 2024 Berlin International Film Festival, but not without controversy, facing backlash from various quarters for shining light on the harsh realities in Palestine.

A Deeply Complicated Conflict

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to unfold against a backdrop of historical tensions, with over 100 Israeli settlements erected since the 1967 Six-Day War, affecting the lives of millions of Palestinians under military rule. The plight of communities like Masafer Yatta, designated as a live-fire military training zone, underscores a constant threat of expulsion that looms large over the remaining residents.

A Bleak Predicament

As violence flares anew, both during military operations in Gaza and from settler actions against Palestinians, a tragic reality remains: the cycle of violence continues, raising questions about the quest for peace and justice in this deeply divided land.