Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, March 1998, Page 70

Education

New Videos on Palestinians

By Betsy Barlow

In addition to "People and the Land," a new video on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict reviewed on p. 106 of this issue of the Washington Report and available from the AET Book Club catalog (p. 107), another new video on the same subject is "Checkpoint: the Palestinians After Oslo" (1997-58 min.), directed by Tom Wright and available from the filmmaker, 2113 23rd Ave., NW, Olympia, WA 98502; phone (360) 867-0290.

A Flashback to 1947-48

The film begins with a flashback to 1947-48, and states forthrightly that "most of the Palestinians were driven from their homeland," instead of the usual mealy-mouthed circumlocution that they "fled" from their homes. It also explains that some refugees were killed as infiltrators when they tried to return home. There is also a brief mention of the 400,000 more Palestinian refugees displaced in 1967.

The filmmakers point out that after the intifada started, the world wanted an international peace conference, but the U.S. insisted on dual negotiations, with the U.S. as broker, to ensure that the settlement reflected the power imbalance. The film also examines the effect of closures on the economy and community life. Since Christians in the hinterland cannot attend churches in Jerusalem, these churches are becoming museums. As thousands are stopped at the Bethlehem barricade, they conduct what would be called in this country a "pray-in." Land confiscations, settlements, and arbitrary arrests and torture are also discussed in the film. Bassam Eid criticizes Palestinian interrogators for using the same methods they have experienced from Israelis.

The killing of Israelis in a Jerusalem bus bombing is also shown, and an Israeli interviewed on his feelings after the bombing. The message the video gives us is that suffering is not necessarily redemptive; that house demolitions and torture lead to rage which brings more violence, not less. Israeli and U.S. policies have increased the number of militants, and popular support for their activities.

"Most of the Palestinians were driven from their homeland."

This video presents a point of view which is largely absent from the U.S. media, and to our cost. Of the three Israelis interviewed, two are connected with the Alternative Information Center, and are critical of the government, and one is a citizen who gives his reaction to the bus bombing.

This video will help North American students understand the Palestinian point of view, which is so rarely presented to them.