Here are five documentary films that depict the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The conflict between Israel and Palestine has been going on for a long time and continues to draw attention from around the world. With horrific events, mass displacement, and a never-ending war, the conflict raises complex questions of politics, history, and human rights.
Through documentaries, filmmakers seek to unravel the complicated history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The documentary aims to provide a deeper understanding of the roots of the conflict, its geopolitical influences and its impact on the Israeli-Palestinian population.
Here are five documentary films that can provide an overview of the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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Documentary Films About the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
1. Al-Nakba: The Palestinian catastrophe (2008)
The documentary revisits the tragic events of 1948 known as Al-Nakba, meaning ‘catastrophe’. In that year, the establishment of the state of Israel led to the mass expulsion of the Palestinian population from their homeland.
Using historical archives and a strong narrative, the movie Al-Nakba gives a complete picture of the losses that the Palestinian people suffered.
At the beginning of the movie, ‘Al-Nakba’ describes the political and social background at the time. Next, the movie reveals the history of the creation of the state of Israel and its impact on the lives of the Palestinian population.
By combining footage and interviews with eyewitnesses, the documentary shows the trauma that generations of Palestinians still experience today.
2. The War in June 1967 (2007)
This documentary focuses on the six-day war that took place in June 1967. It aims to explain what happened during these events.
Using archival footage and interviews, the film explores the dramatic change in the political situation in the Middle East, which had a major impact on relations between Israel and Palestine. ‘The War in June 1967’ reveals the background, military strategy and long-term consequences of the conflict.
In this movie, viewers will see a balanced perspective on the complex events of the Six Day War. The filmmakers carefully combine narratives that not only show facts, but also emotions and perceptions that are connected to each other.
Through this documentary, viewers will gain a better understanding of the complexity of the relationship between Israel and Palestine that impacts the daily lives of residents in the region.
3. The Price of Oslo (1995)
The documentary chronicles the events that took place during the Oslo Accords negotiations in 1993, which sought to achieve peace between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
It also highlights the complexities and controversies surrounding the treaty, as well as its long-term consequences.
The Price of Oslo provides an exclusive look into the negotiation process that reflects the hopes, ambitions and challenges that both sides faced. The documentary reveals interviews with key negotiators involved in this historical event.
Through this, viewers can gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of diplomacy at the time and how these events impacted subsequent conflicts.
4. Jerusalem: Dividing Al-Aqsa (2018)
In this document, we will investigate the complex and controversial history of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, a holy place of great significance to Muslims, Christians and Jews.
By interviewing religious leaders and analyzing history, we will discuss the conflict over this holy place and how it affects regional stability.
In this documentary, a balanced view explores the feelings and beliefs of both Muslims and Jews. The filmmakers seek to understand the importance of Al-Aqsa in a religious and historical context.
More than that, this documentary also explains the political complexity around Al-Aqsa. We can say that this movie is very relevant in understanding and resolving the dispute surrounding Al-Aqsa.
5. Gaza, Sinai, and The Wall (2017)
From 1948 to 1967, residents in Egypt’s Sinai region and the neighboring Gaza region considered them to be one region. However, in the Arab-Israeli war in 1967, Israel captured both the Sinai and Gaza regions.
After twelve years, Israel and Egypt agreed to sign a peace treaty that returned Sinai to Egypt, but Israel’s occupation of Gaza continues to this day.
In 1982, a large wall was built to separate the Gaza Strip and Sinai. However, unfortunately, the existence of this wall has a negative impact on the Palestinian people. Through this documentary, we will explore the daily lives of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip who are affected by the existence of the wall.
Gaza, Sinai and The Wall takes viewers on a first-hand look at life in conflict zones, highlighting the challenges faced by communities caught in the middle of the fighting.
The film tells the stories of individuals and communities living around the barrier, not only portraying the conflict as a big story, but also as a personal experience that many people in Gaza feel.
From the films above, it is clear that the conflict between Israel and Palestine has been a long and complicated one, involving many factors and individuals. Not only are we silent witnesses to historical events, but there is also an attempt to uncover the truth that is sometimes hidden behind diverse narratives.
Nonetheless, viewers should remain critical and look for diverse sources of information to gain a more comprehensive understanding, as documentaries are essentially subjective interpretations of the filmmakers themselves.
