What's happened
On June 2, 2025, Israeli forces prevented an international media tour in the West Bank, blocking journalists from entering Palestinian villages. The tour was organized by the directors of the Oscar-winning film 'No Other Land,' which highlights settler violence against Palestinians. The incident underscores escalating tensions in the region amid ongoing violence since the October 2023 Hamas attack.
What's behind the headline?
Context of the Incident
The blocking of the media tour reflects broader issues of censorship and control in the Israeli-occupied territories. The Israeli military's actions suggest a deliberate effort to limit international scrutiny of settler violence and the humanitarian situation in the West Bank.
Implications for Journalism
- Media Access: The refusal to allow journalists access to affected areas raises concerns about transparency and accountability in reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- Settler Violence: The incident highlights the increasing frequency of settler attacks, which Palestinians claim occur with the tacit approval of Israeli authorities.
- International Response: As global awareness of these issues grows, the international community may face pressure to respond more decisively to the situation in the West Bank.
Future Outlook
The ongoing violence and the military's restrictive measures will likely continue to draw international condemnation. The situation may escalate further if the cycle of violence persists, impacting both local communities and international relations.
What the papers say
According to The Times of Israel, the military's refusal to allow journalists passage was justified by a need to maintain order, with an officer stating, "no passage" was allowed due to a military order. In contrast, Basel Adra, the film's co-director, emphasized that the military's actions were aimed at preventing the world from witnessing the violence against Palestinians, stating, "It's clear they don't want the world to see what is happening here" (AP News).
The New Arab reported that the violence has escalated significantly since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, with at least 220 Palestinians injured by settlers in 2025 alone. This aligns with the findings of the UN's humanitarian agency, which has documented the rising number of attacks. The Independent echoed these sentiments, noting that the film 'No Other Land' aims to shed light on these issues, yet the military's actions hinder such efforts.
How we got here
The film 'No Other Land' documents the forced displacement of Palestinians in Masafer Yatta, an area declared a military zone in the 1980s. Since the outbreak of violence following the October 2023 Hamas attack, reports of settler violence have surged, prompting international attention.
Go deeper
- What is the significance of 'No Other Land'?
- How has settler violence changed since the Gaza war?
- What are the implications of blocking media access?
Common question
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Why Were Journalists Blocked from the West Bank?
On June 2, 2025, Israeli forces blocked an international media tour in the West Bank, raising questions about media access and its implications for public understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This incident highlights ongoing tensions and the role of media in shaping narratives around violence and human rights in the region.
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What is the current humanitarian situation in Gaza?
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached alarming levels, with the United Nations declaring it the worst since the conflict escalated in October 2023. As aid deliveries resume, many questions arise about the effectiveness of these efforts and the ongoing challenges faced by those in need. Below, we explore the current situation, the response from international organizations, and the obstacles in delivering aid.
More on these topics
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Basel Adra is a Palestinian film director, lawyer and journalist. He has documented attempts by the Israel Defense Forces to expel Palestinian villagers from the occupied West Bank and the violence committed by Israeli settlers.
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The West Bank is a landlocked territory near the Mediterranean coast of Western Asia, bordered by Jordan to the east and by Israel to the south, west and north. The West Bank also contains a significant section of the western Dead Sea shore.
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No Other Land is a 2024 documentary film directed by Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor in their directorial debut. The film was made by a Palestinian-Israeli collective of four activists in what they describe as an act of resistance