Israeli and Palestinian Journalists Honored for Courageous Storytelling

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot presented the second Anna Politkovskaya–Arman Soldin Prize for Courage in Journalism on November 5, 2024, to Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham and Palestinian journalist Basel Adra. This prestigious award, instituted by France in 2023, commemorates the legacy of slain Russian reporter Anna Politkovskaya and Franco-Bosnian journalist Arman Soldin, both revered for fearless conflict reporting.

The jury—comprising prominent media figures—praised Abraham and Adra “for their work putting a spotlight on violence committed by settlers and the political and legal inequalities between Palestinians and Israelis”. Their award-winning collaboration, the documentary No Other Land, chronicles the forced evictions of Palestinians in the West Bank, weaving together moments of shared humanity and the harsh realities of occupation.

No Other Land premiered at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2024, capturing both the Panorama Audience Award and the Berlinale Documentary Film Award. The film’s unflinching portrayal of demolition, displacement, settler violence, and the unexpected friendship between its Israeli and Palestinian co-creators has made it a compelling testament to journalism’s power in conflict zones.

France’s recognition underscores the urgency of defending press freedom amid global threats and underscores that journalists like Abraham and Adra risk their safety to sustain independent, impactful reporting.

Their achievement marks a powerful moment in journalism: an Israeli and a Palestinian working across divides to expose injustice, testify to shared humanity, and remind the world that narratives of conflict can also carry hope for cooperation. Their courage illuminates the essential role of journalism in peace and what it means to bear witness together.