Israeli Soldiers Raid Oscar-Winning Palestinian Filmmaker's West Bank Home Amid Violence

Israeli soldiers raided the home of Palestinian Oscar-winning director Basel Adra in the occupied West Bank village of at-Tuwani following an attack on the village by Israeli settlers that injured two of his brothers and one cousin. During the raid, soldiers searched the home and went through the phone of Adra's wife while their nine-month-old daughter was present, and briefly detained one of his uncles. Adra was unable to return home due to soldiers blocking the village entrance and fears of detention. The raid occurred in the context of escalating settler violence in the area, particularly since the start of the 2023 military offensive against Gaza, with many attacks targeting Palestinians in Masafer Yatta, the area documented in Adra's Oscar-winning film "No Other Land." This documentary highlights the residents' struggle against Israeli military demolitions in the West Bank, and since its release, Adra and his collaborators have faced increased harassment and intimidation. The Israeli military justified the raid by citing stone-throwing incidents against Israelis and confirmed questioning Adra during their operation.