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Palestinian director who won Oscar for No Other Land 3 weeks ago, attacked by Israeli settlers, detained by army

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Just three weeks after making history as the first **Palestinian director to win an Oscar**, **Basel Adra**—co-director of the documentary **"No Other Land"**—was **violently assaulted by Israeli settlers** and later **detained by the Israeli military** in the occupied West Bank. The shocking incident has drawn international condemnation, raising fresh concerns about the **targeting of Palestinian activists** and the escalating violence in the region.  

*From Oscar Glory to Violent Attack**  
In March 2024, Adra’s documentary **"No Other Land"**—which chronicles the forced expulsion of Palestinians from **Masafer Yatta**, a cluster of villages in the South Hebron Hills—won the **Best Documentary Award at the Berlin International Film Festival** and earned global acclaim. The film, co-directed with Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, exposed the harsh realities of Israeli occupation, settlement expansion, and home demolitions in the West Bank.  

Yet, on **April 8, 2024**, Adra was **attacked by armed Israeli settlers** while traveling near his hometown in Masafer Yatta. He reported that the assailants **beat him, smashed his car windows, and threatened his life** before Israeli soldiers arrived—only to **detain him instead of his attackers**.  

*Why Was Adra Targeted?**  
Adra has long been a vocal advocate against **land confiscations and settler violence** in Masafer Yatta, where **1,300 Palestinians face expulsion** after an Israeli court declared the area a **"firing zone"** for military training. His Oscar win amplified his voice—and seemingly made him a target.  

- **Settler Violence on the Rise**: UN data shows **2023 was the deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank** in nearly two decades, with settler attacks surging since the **October 7 Hamas attacks**.  
- **Systemic Impunity**: Israeli human rights groups report that **over 90% of settler violence cases go unpunished**, with soldiers often siding with settlers.  
- **Silencing Dissent**: Adra’s detention fits a pattern of **arrests targeting Palestinian journalists and activists**, including those documenting abuses.  

Global Outrage Over the Incident**  
The attack and detention sparked immediate backlash:  
- **Amnesty International** condemned the "**brazen assault and arbitrary detention**," calling for an investigation.  
- **The European Film Academy**, which honored "No Other Land," demanded Adra’s release, stating: **"Art must not be silenced by violence."**  
- **Oscar-winning filmmakers**, including **Jonathan Glazer** ("The Zone of Interest"), voiced solidarity.  

A Symbol of Palestinian Resistance**  
Adra’s ordeal underscores the **precarious reality for Palestinians under occupation**:  
- **Even global fame offers no protection** from violence or arrest.  
- **Documenting oppression comes with risks**, as seen in the killings of journalists like **Shireen Abu Akleh**.  
- **International attention has failed to halt displacement**, with over **1,000 Palestinians displaced in 2024 alone** due to demolitions.  

*What Happens Next?**  
Adra was released after hours of interrogation, but his case highlights:  
1. **Escalating Settler Violence**: With far-right ministers like **Bezalel Smotrich** backing expansion, attacks may worsen.  
2. **Crackdown on Palestinian Voices**: Israel’s **new "anti-terrorism" laws** could criminalize more activists.  
3. **Global Solidarity’s Limits**: Despite outcry, Western governments continue **arming Israel unconditionally**.  

Conclusion: Art as Resistance**  
Basel Adra’s story—from Oscar stages to military checkpoints—proves that **Palestinian narratives threaten the occupation**. His film gave his people a platform; his assault shows the price of truth-telling. As Adra himself said after his release: **"They want us silent. We won’t be."**  

The world must choose: Will it watch passively, or act to protect those who dare to document injustice?

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