“Whose Truth Do We See: Decolonizing Narrative” with Basel Adra

As part of Institute Social’s Global Reflections series, Palestinian journalist, award-winning filmmaker, and human rights advocate Basel Adra was hosted on December 8. In his talk titled Whose Truth Do We See: Decolonizing Narrative, Adra discussed how daily life is shaped under Israel’s occupation as a colonial power. He also addressed the intergenerational struggle of the Palestinian people for survival, resistance, and rights, and how Western media’s biased and one-sided narratives influence global public perceptions of the Israel–Palestine issue.

Adra shared accounts from Masafer Yatta, a region made up of interconnected small villages and hamlets surrounded by Jewish settlements, where residents sustain themselves through small-scale farming and livestock raising. He emphasized that the repeated rebuilding of their homes—destroyed time and again as a result of attacks by Israeli authorities and settlers—stands as one of the clearest expressions of Palestinians’ determination to remain on their land and their commitment to civil resistance.

Stating that “truth only becomes powerful when it is told,” Adra explained why he picked up a camera in the following words: “What you are shown is not the truth. The truth is here—in Masafer Yatta, in Gaza, in Jerusalem, in Jenin. If we do not tell the world, nothing that happens becomes visible. I took up the camera to show the truth; whenever there was an attack, I ran there. The film was not planned—while recording what I witnessed, the idea of a documentary emerged as a way to present this evidence to the world. My camera was the only defense I had against narratives that erase us.”

Selective Visibility in the Media

Adra emphasized that the political priorities of Western media systematically obscure what is happening in Palestine, and that the hierarchy determining which lives are deemed “newsworthy” is profoundly unjust. He stressed that events in Palestine cannot be assessed solely through what occurred on October 7, noting that October 7 should instead be understood as a consequence of the colonization of Palestinian lands that began with the Nakba. He stated:

“They begin their narrative on October 7. But to see the truth, you don’t even need to go back as far as the Nakba—just looking at the previous day, October 6, is enough. Even on that day, Palestinians were targets of Israeli army attacks. Now in the West Bank, the aim is to turn every city and town into a small Gaza: to push people into ever-shrinking urban centers and transform every community into a walled open-air prison.”

“Colonialism Is Not in the Past—It Is Happening Today”

In his remarks, Adra described Israel as one of the clearest contemporary examples of modern colonialism since its establishment—politically, economically, and culturally, and said that Palestinians have largely lost their trust in the international legal system and its institutions. Nevertheless, he noted that although political considerations currently dominate international law, he remains hopeful that the Palestinian struggle will eventually be recognized within this framework and that everything that has happened will eventually be accounted for by these institutions. He explained: “The reason many Palestinians no longer believe in international law is very clear: this law is not applied to us. When Israel violates it, suddenly there is an ‘exception’—vetoes come into play, courts are put under pressure. Still, I believe we must continue to use this law, because one day these crimes will be held to account.”

Adra underscored that colonialism is not a closed chapter of the past, but something that continues openly today, shaping the fate of entire societies. He stated: “We Palestinians have suffered the consequences of colonialism for generations, and this must come to an end. Western diplomatic vetoes, arms support, and financing sustain the colonial order. Countries that claim to uphold democracy and the rule of law suspend all their principles when it comes to Israel. Supporting a state that violates international law every day shows that politics, not law, is being prioritized. Even as genocide is plainly evident, these countries continue the normalization process.”

Oscar: Not a Privilege but a Tool

After receiving an Oscar for the documentary No Other Land, Adra described the recognition not as a personal achievement but as part of the Palestinian people’s collective struggle.

“Oscar recognition is not a privilege for me—it is a powerful tool to bring the Palestinian people’s struggle onto the global stage, to challenge dominant narratives and spread the truth,” Adra said, explaining that he sees the award as a means of drawing the world’s attention to what is happening in Palestine. He continued: “The awards I’ve received and the visibility that came with the Oscar are important for challenging the dominant narrative on behalf of Masafer Yatta and our people. But on a personal level, I don’t like the privilege it gives me. When settlers entered our fields and attacked my brother, soldiers later raided my home and detained my wife. The incident received widespread coverage in the global media—journalists called me, articles were written. But just a week earlier, in the middle of the night, settlers carried out a far more brutal attack on a nearby village. Elderly people in their seventies and eighties, children, women—they were covered in blood. Yet that attack was barely reported.”

Responding to criticism directed at him due to the close ties many actors, companies, and executives in the Hollywood industry maintain with Israel, Adra said: “The Oscars are a massive platform for reaching millions who deserve to hear the truth. Those in attendance who support Israel are not my target audience—we don’t need to engage with them. I hope this achievement becomes a tool that opens the door for more Palestinian films to reach that stage. The real goal is to reach the audience that needs to hear us and to make our voices heard.”

Adra also expressed hope that the international awards his films have received will pave the way for more productions about Palestine to be created and circulated globally. The talk concluded with Adra emphasizing that his daily effort to document what is happening is a step toward preventing the denial of truth.