On November 19, 2025, the Center hosted an on-campus screening of "The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue," which was followed by a discussion with Amir Tibon, whose family's story of terror and rescue on October 7 is retold in the film.
Organized by the UCLA Y&S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies. Co-sponsored by the UCLA Center for Middle East Development. This event is part of the UCLA International Institute's International Education Week.
Generous support for this screening is provided by The Cooper Fund for Israeli Film and Television.
About the Film
In a harrowing real-life story, the feature documentary “The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue” follows retired Israeli general Noam Tibon, who on October 7, 2023, received a desperate text from his son: Hamas terrorists had stormed his home, and he, his wife, and their two young daughters feared for their lives. With no time to spare, Noam and his wife, Gali, embarked on a ten-hour mission across a country under siege to save their family. Relying only on his instincts and military training, Noam navigated ambushes, roadblocks, and a collapsing security system in a relentless race against time. The film retraces every step of that day, blending intimate firsthand testimony with the raw urgency of a survival thriller.
Set against the backdrop of one of Israel’s darkest days, “The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue” is both a gripping cinematic retelling of an extraordinary rescue and an unflinching look at the failures and resilience revealed on October 7. At its core, it is a profoundly human story about courage, family, and the power of love in the face of unimaginable terror.
The film was initially removed from the Toronto International Film Festival lineup, but was reinstated after a public outcry over potential censorship. It went on to win the festival's People's Choice Award for best documentary. Watch the Trailer
Written and directed by acclaimed Canadian filmmaker Barry Avrich
In English. Running time: 1 hour 35 minutes
"This film’s focus is the family and the audacious rescue mission to keep them safe… a stirring story of courage and dedication." – RogerEbert.com
“The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue is a bracing testament to courage and humanity in the very worst of times." – Hollywood in Toto
About the Featured Speaker
Amir Tibon (who joined the program from Israel over Zoom) is an award-winning diplomatic correspondent for Haaretz, Israel’s newspaper of record, and previously served as the paper’s correspondent in Washington, D.C. He is the co-author (with Grant Rumley) of The Last Palestinian: The Rise and Reign of Mahmoud Abbas, the first-ever biography of the leader of the Palestinian Authority. Amir, his wife, and their two young daughters, are currently living in temporary housing in north-central Israel.
Amir's book about his family's experience on October 7th, The Gates of Gaza: One Family's Story of Betrayal, Survival and Hope on Israel’s Borderlands—which won the National Jewish Book Award—can be purchased here.
Reviews of the book can be found in The Guardian and The Jewish Book Council , among other outlets.
DISCLAIMER: The views or opinions of our guest speakers and the content of their presentations do not necessarily reflect the views of the UCLA Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for Israel Studies. Hosting speakers does not constitute an endorsement of the speaker's views or opinions.
Published: Wednesday, November 19, 2025
