“No Other Land” and Hollywood’s Role in Manufacturing “History”

Ah, Hollywood. The land of glitz, glamour, and, apparently, rewriting history for future generations.

The latest example? The Oscar-winning “No Other Land,” a film that presents itself as hard-hitting investigative journalism but conveniently omits any historical evidence in favor of a carefully curated narrative. And now, thanks to its shiny golden statue, it will undoubtedly be waved around in debates, university classrooms, and social media feeds as “proof” of Israeli crimes.

But here’s something really important to remember: An Oscar doesn’t make something true. And a well-produced film with emotional storytelling isn’t a substitute for actual historical evidence. While the emotions behind the experiences faced by the subjects of the film are certainly valid, the reality of what actually happened and all of the nuances surrounding the conflict are not presented in the documentary.

But this isn’t just about one film. It’s about Hollywood’s tendency to embrace the manufacturing of narratives. Validation of artistic expression has become way more important than rigorous historical scholarship.

Here is the formula for how historical misrepresentations tend to become “documented truth.”

1. A documentary is made, often by activists, prioritizing artistic storytelling over factual accuracy.
2. The importance of rigorous research and engaging professional historians for fact-checking is ignored in favor of sexy camera angles and heavily curated dramatic moments.
3. Inconvenient truths are carefully and strategically omitted in order to amplify a one-sided narrative.
4. The film gets picked up by major film festivals, where political messaging often outweighs factual scrutiny.
5. Oscar award gains instant credibility.
6. Documentary becomes “evidence” in political debates, cited as fact for years to come.

This is exactly how “No Other Land” will be used moving forward if we don’t take immediate action to pick up the fractured pieces of broken history and put the truth behind the story back together again.

The reason films like this one are dangerous isn’t just that they distort reality. It’s that future generations won’t pick up on the manipulative agenda, the careful omissions or the rewriting of history. These types of films will be treated like factual historical records if we don’t do something about it.

The Hollywood Illusion: Emotional Manipulation

Films like “No Other Land” succeed because they understand something fundamental: People are more moved by emotions than by detailed facts.

It’s why a beautifully shot film with a heartbreaking personal story will undoubtedly seem more compelling than a dry history book packed with archaeological data, government documents, and legal texts.

Let’s break down what “No Other Land” does:

• It presents moving personal accounts of Palestinian suffering.
• It uses evocative cinematography to create a visceral emotional response.
•  It frames Israel as the sole aggressor while ignoring context and broader historical realities.

Now, here’s what it doesn’t do:

• It doesn’t mention the extensive Jewish archaeological evidence proving a 3,000-year presence in the land.
• It doesn’t acknowledge that Masafer Yatta had no permanent Arab settlements before the modern era.
• It doesn’t acknowledge that the Israeli government, although it was zoned for other uses that they would later need, graciously allowed them to temporarily live there until they found a more permanent place to settle.
• It doesn’t present any readily accessible records that easily contradict its narrative.

It’s not just about what’s included, but what’s left out. And in storytelling, omission can be one of the most powerful tools.

Now, don’t get me wrong. Art, if you want to call it that, has every right to be expressive. If you really want to claim artistic expression, call it what it is: a historical fiction based a true story of emotional anguish. Let’s be clear. “No Other Land” isn’t a documentary in the traditional sense. A true documentary aims to provide balanced historical accuracy. This is propaganda wrapped in cinematography, designed not to inform, but to persuade.

And when propaganda wins Oscars, it doesn’t just shape opinions, it rewrites history.

The Danger of Hollywood as “History Teacher”

This isn’t a new phenomenon. Hollywood has a long history of distorting reality to fit a narrative.

Take the 2002 Jenin “massacre.” Reports initially claimed that Israeli forces slaughtered 500 Palestinians in a brutal campaign. Media ran with it. Films were made. The world was outraged. Then… oops! The UN finally got around to conducting an investigation and, as it turned out, the whole story was way off. The actual number of those killed? Fifty two. Omitted facts: they were armed Palestinian combatants responsible for triggering the conflict in the first place.

By the time the truth came out, the damage was done. To this day, people still refer to the “Jenin massacre” as if it happened, villainizing the IDF for their “violence.”

The same thing happens when terms like “Israeli apartheid” are used, ignoring the fact that Arab Israelis have full citizenship rights.

Or you know, the myth that Al-Aqsa is “under constant attack” despite Jordanian control of the Waqf and Israel severely restricting Jewish prayer there.

Once a Hollywood film, a poorly researched news piece or viral video cements a lie, it becomes nearly impossible to undo.

The War on Jewish History: Who Actually Gets to Write the Narrative?

There’s a trendy new intellectual movement that claims:

“History is written by the victors! We must deconstruct dominant narratives and uplift the voices of the oppressed!” 

Alright. Fair enough.

History has often been told through the lens of the powerful. It seems reasonable that we should allow the oppressed to have a voice in the construction of history. That’s why historians constantly revisit events, analyze new evidence, and challenge old assumptions.

But here’s where it gets ridiculous:

“The Jewish people? Nah, their version of history doesn’t count. Even though they were oppressed, expelled, and nearly annihilated for centuries, their narrative is somehow a ‘power play.’”

Wait… what?

So let me get this straight.

When certain groups rewrite history, it’s considered progressive justice.

But when Jews reclaim their own history, with mountains of archaeological evidence, firsthand documentation, and undeniable suffering, it’s somehow suspicious?

Seriously?!? Make it make sense!

What the Actual Evidence Shows

If we are serious about historical accuracy, let’s apply the same standards to both sides of the conflict. That makes sense, right?

Ok, bring it!

Jewish Indigeneity in Israel (Archaeological & Historical Evidence):

• Archaeological records: Ancient Hebrew inscriptions, synagogues, and Jewish coins dating back to the First Temple period
• Historical texts: The Hebrew Bible, Roman records, and early Islamic writings all confirm a Jewish presence
• Continuous Jewish presence: Despite conquests, Jews never abandoned the land entirely

Arab Claims to Masafer Yatta (Where’s the Evidence?):

• Archaeology: No evidence of ancient Arab settlements in the region before the modern era.
• Ottoman & British records: No mention of permanent Arab villages before the 20th century
• Permanent vs. Nomadic Presence: Bedouin tribes seasonally used the land but did not build permanent structures

The conclusion? The claim that Arabs are indigenous to Masafer Yatta lacks both historical and archaeological proof.

The Jewish claim to the land, however, is backed by over 3,000 years of documented evidence.

I’m not saying that there wasn’t trauma, hurt, or potential misconduct on the part of individuals in the IDF. There are certainly plenty of documented mistakes made by Israeli military leaders. I’m not even saying that those who made mistakes shouldn’t be held accountable. I think they should! And Israel has provided restitution and justice measures taken when misconduct and abuse of power has been discovered and proven. The IDF has taken action against many soldiers involved in misconduct, including detention of soldiers when they are charged with abuse of Palestinian detainees.

But the bottom line is, emotions cannot be considered facts when it comes to intellectual honesty.

When an Oscar Becomes a Political Weapon

There’s a reason Israel’s enemies focus so much on media, film, and academia. They don’t need to win as many wars on the battlefield if they win the information war.

• If they can convince the world that Israel is a colonial oppressor, then Israel’s right to exist becomes questionable.
• If they can erase Jewish ties to the land, then the world won’t blink when Jews are removed from it.
• If they can turn a documentary into “historical evidence,” then the actual truth won’t stand a chance.

Hollywood is not an unbiased truth-teller. It is a political machine.

So, what can we do?

1. Stop letting Hollywood be the judge of truth.
2. Demand actual evidence! Historical records, archaeology, and primary sources.
3. Continue to ask the hard questions.

Because in 50 years, when people cite “No Other Land” as “proof” of Israeli crimes, the question won’t be whether the film was accurate.

The question will be: Why didn’t more people challenge the lie before it became accepted “history?”

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