Returning to the West Bank 14 years after The Ultra Zionists, Theroux presents a more direct and confrontational style as he embeds himself within settler communities and captures the tensions faced by Palestinians.
During filming, Theroux and his crew faced repeated confrontations, including incidents where guns were pointed at them while visiting Palestinian homes. In key scenes, Theroux challenges settlers over their treatment of Palestinians, notably confronting Daniella Weiss and calling her a “sociopath” during a discussion about settler violence.
Photo: BBC
The film concludes with Theroux taking shelter with Palestinians as Israeli forces search nearby areas. When he asks if they can contact the police, the Palestinians respond with, “Which police?”, highlighting the lack of protective authority available to them.
The Settlers has drawn mixed reactions since its premiere. Some social media users accused Theroux of bias and antisemitism, while others praised the film for providing an important perspective on a complex and ongoing conflict. Comparisons have been made to the BBC’s earlier documentary Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone, which was withdrawn amid controversy.
The Settlers aired on BBC Two on 27 April and is available for streaming on BBC iPlayer. While not officially released outside the United Kingdom, clips and excerpts from the documentary have been widely shared on social media platforms.