The meeting took place behind closed doors in Istanbul, away from the media. Sources told Anadolu that President Erdogan congratulated director Adra on the awards his documentary film had won.
Erdogan pointed out that the Israeli occupation is practicing its "most severe forms" on the southern hills of Hebron, and that anyone who documents the crimes in that area is a "direct target" of it.
The Turkish president offered his condolences for the martyr Awda al-Hathalin, Adra’s close friend, who was killed by an Israeli settler, and praised the courage shown by the film crew during filming.
Erdogan said: “Personally, I always make sure to explain the developments of the Palestinian issue through maps and pictures in my addresses to the global public, based on my conviction that a picture is worth a thousand words. I appreciate your highlighting, through art, the ongoing Israeli settlement expansion since the Nakba.”
He continued: "It is unfortunate that the tragedy of the Palestinian people does not receive enough attention in the film industry, and unfortunately, the pro-Israel structure within this industry plays a major role in this. You too have been subjected to the harshest forms of this blackout."
Erdogan noted that last year's 96th Academy Awards ceremony and Cannes Film Festival featured prominent messages of support for Palestine, explaining that the protests outside the Oscars ceremony hall constituted "strong support for Gaza."
He continued: "In both events, we saw clear stances from the artists through badges, messages, and clothing that expressed their support for the people of Gaza. In this year's Academy Awards, we noticed that this stance has become stronger, and this is a joyful thing. Thanks to your efforts and the efforts of all people of conscience, we hope that this support will be strengthened even more."
Erdogan emphasized that the message of art lies in the search for truth, considering the film "No Other Land" to have played a significant role in "awakening the world's conscience." He called on Adra and his colleagues to continue their efforts to maintain global attention on the Palestinian cause, affirming that Türkiye will continue to stand with the Palestinian people.
The film "No Other Land," directed by Basil Adra, Hamdan Bilal, Yuval Avraham and Rachel Zur, deals with the struggle of Palestinians against the demolition and displacement policy practiced by the Israeli occupation army in the Masafer Yatta area of the southern West Bank.
The film documents Adra – risking his life – the demolition operations carried out by the Israeli occupation army, under the pretext of turning the area into a military training field, between 2019 and 2023.
The film shows real footage from Palestinian homes, personal archives, news clips, and conversations between Palestinians and Israelis, highlighting the violence and abuses perpetrated by settlers and occupation soldiers.
The film won the "Best Documentary" award at the Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles, and also won the Best Documentary award at the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) last year, along with the "Panorama - Audience Awards" award, as well as a special tribute from the German channel "RBB".
It is worth noting that the Palestinian activist Odeh al-Hathalin, who contributed to the film, was martyred on July 28th, shot by the Israeli settler Yinon Levi in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron.
