Excerpt:
Israeli settlers have seized 50 acres of farmland in Masafer Yatta, belonging to a Palestinian-American family connected to the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land. For Arab Americans in Dearborn—where land, heritage, and identity are intertwined—this isn’t just another news story. It’s personal.
Photo credit: Community activists / via Middle East Eye
At least 50 acres of farmland in Masafer Yatta were seized by Israeli settlers this week, stripping a Palestinian-American family of their heritage. According to Middle East Eye, the land belongs to relatives of Basel Adra—co-director of No Other Land, which won an Oscar earlier this year.
“Our family has lived here for generations. This isn’t just dirt—it’s our life, our memory, our survival.” —Masafer Yatta community member (AP)
This land grab is part of a larger campaign. Masafer Yatta has been targeted for demolitions, forced displacement, and “firing zone” declarations that leave families without infrastructure, rights, or security (OCHA, Wikipedia).
The significance here isn’t abstract. Arab Americans in Dearborn know what land means. It’s culture, dignity, and memory passed down across generations. When it’s stripped away, it’s not just geography that’s lost—it’s identity.
Why Dearborn Cares
Our city has long been a heartbeat for Palestinian rights in the U.S. And the message from Masafer Yatta resonates:
“We’re not asking for charity. We’re asking to live on our land in peace.” —Masafer Yatta activist (Dissent)
In Dearborn, we rally, we march, we educate our kids about resilience. Their fight is our fight. Because every acre seized there is a reminder here: justice doesn’t come from headlines—it comes from solidarity.
Sources
- Middle East Eye – Israeli settlers seize land of US citizen and family in Masafer Yatta
- UN OCHA – Masafer Yatta communities at risk of forcible transfer
- AP News – Settler violence in West Bank continues
- Dissent Magazine – Settler terror in the West Bank
- Wikipedia – Khallit al-Dabe’
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