Protesters Confront 'No Other Land' Film Premiere in New York

Dozens of Israelis and American Jews protested outside Lincoln Center in New York on September 26th during the North American premiere of the controversial documentary "No Other Land." Demonstrators aimed to counter the film's narrative by displaying direct footage from the October 7th Hamas attack, seeking to remind viewers of the events that triggered the current war. The protest, organized by the Israeli-American Council (IAC), proceeded despite heavy rain, with participants holding Israeli flags and showing October 7th documentation to attendees and passersby.

Large LED screens on trucks near the venue projected raw footage from the October 7th attacks, including material filmed by the attackers themselves. The protesters also presented materials challenging claims made in the film, questioning the sources, evidence collection, and methodologies used by its creators. Their central message emphasized that discussions about the war must fully include the October 7th attack and its preceding circumstances.

Among the attendees were survivors of the Nova music festival and individuals like Younes Al-Garnawi, a Bedouin Israeli who rescued dozens during the attack. Israel's Consulate in New York also participated in public outreach regarding the film. Consul General Ofir Akunis criticized the film and its creators, stating the consulate's efforts aimed to present Israel's perspective and documentation of the Hamas attack to the American public.

"No Other Land," directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Shore, explores decision-making processes, intelligence use, and technological systems in IDF strikes on Gaza. It features anonymous testimonies from Israeli soldiers and intelligence personnel, which the filmmakers claim offer insight into decision-making and civilian risk assessment. The IDF, however, disputes several key claims, questioning the verification of anonymous interviewees' identities and authority. The film has generated controversy, particularly a promotional segment suggesting an attack was approved despite an anticipated 500 civilian casualties, which the IDF unequivocally denied, stating no such attack was ever planned or approved.

The IDF maintains that human operators, not AI systems, make targeting decisions and that operations adhere to laws and procedures designed to minimize civilian harm. Conversely, the filmmakers assert that technological systems and databases played a significant role in target identification and decision-making. The film previously received the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival and was selected for the New York Film Festival's main program. Following its New York premiere, it is slated for limited commercial distribution in the U.S.