Istanbul, December 8, 2025 – The Europe Today: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday met Basel Adra, co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, which portrays the hardships faced by Palestinians living under Israeli occupation.
The meeting took place behind closed doors at the Dolmabahce Presidential Office in Istanbul.
President Erdogan congratulated Adra on the international recognition and awards received by the documentary. Highlighting the severe suffering in the southern hills of Hebron, Erdogan noted that anyone who documents crimes committed in the area becomes a direct target. He also offered condolences over the killing of Adra’s close friend, Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen, who was shot dead by Israeli settlers, and commended the courage demonstrated in producing the film.
The Turkish leader said that the tragedy of the Palestinian people remains insufficiently represented in the global film industry, attributing this to what he described as the industry’s structural alignment with Israel. “You, too, experienced this censorship environment in its harshest form,” he remarked.
Erdogan emphasized the importance of visual documentation in raising awareness of the Palestinian cause, saying: “In my addresses to the international community, I attach great importance to explaining, through photographs and maps, how the Palestinian cause has evolved over the years, based on the idea that a picture is worth a thousand words.”
He praised Adra’s work for drawing attention to Israeli expansionism since the Nakba and underlined that art’s fundamental mission is the pursuit of truth. Calling No Other Land “extremely important in awakening global conscience,” Erdogan encouraged Adra to continue his efforts so that public support for Palestine remains strong.
The president also noted increasing solidarity with Palestine at major global events. He recalled last year’s demonstrations at the Oscars and Cannes, including actors’ messages, attire, and symbolic pins, and welcomed the stronger pro-Palestinian stance seen at this year’s Academy Awards.
Erdogan extended heartfelt congratulations to Adra, the film’s co-directors Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Szor, and everyone involved in the documentary. He reaffirmed that Türkiye will remain steadfast in its support for the Palestinian people.
Oscar-Winning Documentary Highlighting Life Under Occupation
No Other Land, a joint production by Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers, depicts the struggle of Palestinians resisting demolition and forced displacement in Masafer Yatta, located in the southern West Bank. The film chronicles Adra’s efforts between 2019 and 2023 to document — often at great personal risk — the destruction carried out by the Israeli military as the area was targeted for conversion into a military training zone.
The documentary incorporates footage from Palestinian homes, personal archives, media reports, and conversations between Israelis and Palestinians, providing a stark account of life under occupation, forced demolitions, and the search for truth.
The film won the Best Documentary Oscar at the ceremony in Los Angeles and previously received the Best Documentary Award at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), along with the Panorama Audience Award and recognition from Germany’s RBB television channel.
Awdah Hathaleen, a Palestinian activist who contributed to the film, was killed on July 28 in Masafer Yatta when Israeli settler Yinon Levi fired indiscriminately, according to reports.
