Louis Theroux, known for his probing documentaries that often delve into the lives of individuals on the fringes of society, recently turned his lens toward the complex and fraught landscape of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His 2025 BBC film, “The Settlers,” examines the escalating movement of Israeli settlers in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, a subject he first approached in 2010 with the documentary “Ultra Zionists.” The film, screened to a sold-out audience at CPH:DOX, offers a stark look at a situation intensified by the events of October 7th, and has sparked conversation about the ethics of documentary filmmaking and the responsibility of giving voice to controversial ideologies.
Theroux’s work often centers on what he describes as “human weirdness” – the ways in which people rationalize actions that might appear illogical or immoral. In “The Settlers,” this manifests as an exploration of the religious nationalist ideology driving the expansion of Israeli settlements, an activity widely considered illegal under international law. The documentary doesn’t shy away from presenting the settlers’ perspectives, a choice that has drawn both praise and criticism. The film’s focus is on the motivations and justifications offered by those actively involved in establishing and expanding these settlements, and the implications for the region.
A “Prison” and a Sense of Mission
Theroux described the environment he encountered as one of intense conflict, characterizing the occupied West Bank as “a kind of prison in cahoots with a vast military apparatus.” He noted that he had “never seen that sort of thing unfold out in the open and with no shame.” The documentary highlights the open and unapologetic nature of the settlers’ plans for full occupation of the West Bank and the displacement of Palestinians. A central figure in the film is Daniella Weiss, an Israeli politician and founder of Nachala, a settler and far-right organization. According to the documentary, Weiss has been instrumental in establishing dozens of unauthorized outposts – settlements built in the West Bank without Israeli government approval – over the past three decades.
Weiss, described by Theroux as “the godmother of the settler movement,” is portrayed as fiercely defending the rights of Israelis to occupy the West Bank. She reportedly claims, “We do for the government what they cannot do for themselves,” and boasts of a direct line of communication with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Perhaps most controversially, Weiss is shown dismissing accusations of “settler violence,” suggesting that videos depicting such incidents are manipulated or misrepresent the settlers’ reactions to provocation.
The Ethics of Representation and “Platforming”
The decision to give such prominent voice to figures like Weiss has prompted debate about the potential for “platforming” – the idea that providing a platform for controversial views can legitimize them. Theroux, however, rejects the term as overly broad. He distinguishes between a casual interview on a podcast and the intensive, considered approach he takes when making a documentary. “It feels so broad, as though having someone on a live podcast is the same as spending weeks attempting to interview someone in an appropriate way and then shaping the story in a way that feels truthful and responsible,” he explained. He emphasized that his aim is not to endorse the views expressed, but to present them in a way that allows viewers to draw their own conclusions.
Documenting Complexity in a Charged Environment
Theroux acknowledged the challenges of documenting the situation, noting that the film couldn’t capture “the very worst of what was going on.” He also addressed criticism that “The Settlers” focuses primarily on the Israeli perspective, with limited representation of Palestinian voices. He conceded that this imbalance could be frustrating for some viewers, but defended his approach by stating that the film is “the film I made” and part of a larger body of work aimed at bringing complex issues to a wider audience. He also pointed out that, in his view, “the people with agency are the ones with the guns,” referring to the decades-long Israeli military occupation of the West Bank, which affects over 3 million Palestinians. The West Bank, including East Jerusalem, has been under Israeli military occupation since 1967 according to the International Court of Justice.
Since its release on the BBC last year, Weiss has gained increased attention in Western media, including an interview with Piers Morgan, seemingly embracing the spotlight. Theroux observed that she appears to enjoy the attention, potentially viewing it as a way to bolster support for her work within international communities.
Theroux concluded by reflecting on the emotional toll of working in a war zone, emphasizing the “regrettable privilege” of being able to move on after documenting such difficult realities. He acknowledged that changing the world is not necessarily the goal of his work, but that there is a “real sense of pride and purpose” in documenting stories that deserve to be told.
As of March 19, 2026, the situation in the West Bank remains volatile, with ongoing tensions and sporadic violence. Further developments regarding the expansion of settlements and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict are expected to be closely monitored by international observers. The film “The Settlers” continues to generate discussion and debate about the complexities of the region and the role of documentary filmmaking in addressing sensitive political issues.
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