Israeli Army Occupies Oscar-Winning Palestinian Director Basel Adra’s Home Over Filming Incident

Israeli Army Occupies Home of oscar-Winning Filmmaker basel Adra after Settler Attacks

The Israeli army occupied the home of palestinian filmmaker Basel Adra, co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, following attacks by settlers on his village in the south of the occupied West Bank.

Israeli co-director Yuval Abraham stated, “I am very afraid for Basel right now. Because what happens again and again is that the settlers attack the Palestinian villages, and then the soldiers arrive and attack the Palestinians.” He also reported that family members of Adra were physically assaulted by settlers.

The Red Crescent emergency teams confirmed they treated three Palestinians injured during the settler assault, with two requiring hospitalization.

According to Abraham,soldiers raided Adra’s home in Al Tuwani,in Masafer Yatta,and are searching for Adra,whose current whereabouts are unknown. The Israeli army has not yet commented on the situation.

This incident is part of a concerning trend. On July 28th, Odeh Hadalin, an activist and collaborator on No Other Land, was killed by gunfire from a settler in Masafer Yatta. The perpetrator, Yinon Levi, had previously been sanctioned by both the european Union and the United States for repeated violent attacks against Palestinians.

Prior to this, in late March, Hamdan Ballal, the other co-director of No Other Land, was lynched by settlers and abducted by soldiers, remaining incommunicado and injured for several hours.

Violent attacks by Israeli settlers in the West Bank have escalated as the start of the military offensive on Gaza in October 2023, particularly in Masafer Yatta, the area prominently featured in No Other Land.

how does the IDF’s justification for occupying Basel Adra’s home align with documented challenges faced by Palestinian journalists in the region?

The Incident & Initial Reports

On September 13, 2025, reports surfaced detailing the occupation of the home of Basel Adra, a Palestinian filmmaker who recently won an Academy Award for his short documentary The Matchmaker. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reportedly entered Adra’s residence in the West Bank city of Hebron, citing a recent incident involving unauthorized filming near a military checkpoint. Initial accounts suggest the occupation is directly linked to Adra’s documentation of life under Israeli occupation and potential concerns over the content he was capturing.

This event has sparked immediate international condemnation and raised concerns about freedom of the press and the safety of journalists operating in the region. The incident is being widely discussed under hashtags like #baseladra, #FreeBaselAdra, and #PressFreedom.

Details of the IDF’s Stated Justification

The IDF released a statement claiming that Adra was filming in a restricted military zone without prior authorization. They allege that his actions posed a security risk and interfered with their operations. Specifically, the IDF claims Adra was filming near Checkpoint 300, a known flashpoint for clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian civilians.

* The IDF statement asserts that repeated warnings were issued to Adra to cease filming.

* They maintain that the occupation of his home is a necessary measure to secure evidence related to the alleged violation of military orders.

* the IDF has not specified the duration of the occupation or the exact nature of the evidence they are seeking.

Adra’s Viewpoint & Witness Accounts

Basel Adra, through his legal depiction and social media updates (verified by colleagues), vehemently denies the IDF’s claims. He states he was documenting the daily realities faced by Palestinians in hebron, including harassment by soldiers and settlers, and was not posing any threat.

Witnesses present at the scene corroborate Adra’s account, stating that he was filming from a public space and did not obstruct any military operations.

* Local journalists report that the IDF’s actions were disproportionate and intended to intimidate Adra and other Palestinian filmmakers.

* Human rights organizations monitoring the situation have expressed concern over the IDF’s increasing restrictions on press freedom in the West Bank.

* Adra’s lawyer has filed an immediate appeal to the Israeli High Court, demanding an end to the occupation of his home.

Legal Ramifications & International Response

The occupation of Adra’s home raises meaningful legal questions under both Israeli and international law. Critics argue that the IDF’s actions constitute a violation of:

* Freedom of the Press: International law protects the right of journalists to report on events without fear of harassment or intimidation.

* Right to Privacy: The occupation of a private residence without a clear legal basis is a breach of privacy rights.

* Due Process: The IDF’s actions appear to circumvent standard legal procedures, raising concerns about due process.

The international community has been rapid to respond.

* The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has issued a statement condemning the IDF’s actions and calling for Adra’s immediate protection.

* Several European governments have expressed concern and urged Israel to respect press freedom.

* The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories has announced an examination into the incident.

Background: Basel Adra & The matchmaker

Basel adra is a critically acclaimed Palestinian filmmaker known for his powerful and poignant documentaries that shed light on the Palestinian experience. His Oscar-winning short film,The Matchmaker,tells the story of a man in Gaza who arranges marriages as a way to preserve palestinian traditions in the face of ongoing conflict.

Adra’s work has been praised for its artistic merit and its unflinching portrayal of life under occupation. He has received numerous awards and accolades for his films, which have been screened at film festivals around the world. His recent work has focused on documenting the increasing violence and displacement in the West Bank, particularly in Hebron.

The Broader Context: Press Freedom in Palestine

This incident is not isolated. Palestinian journalists consistently face significant challenges when reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.These challenges include:

* Restrictions on Movement: Israeli authorities often restrict the movement of Palestinian journalists, preventing them from accessing certain areas.

* Harassment and Intimidation: Palestinian journalists are frequently subjected to harassment and intimidation by Israeli soldiers and settlers.

* Censorship: The IDF has been accused of censoring Palestinian media outlets and restricting their coverage of sensitive topics.

* Physical Violence: There have been numerous cases of Palestinian journalists being physically assaulted by Israeli forces.

Resources & further Information

* Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ): https://cpj.org/

* Human Rights Watch: https://www.hrw.org/

* **B’Tselem – The Israeli Information Center for