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March 15, 2011 | 2:54 pm
Why can’t Jews handle ‘Miral’?
Posted by Danielle Berrin
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'Miral' photo courtesy of the Weinstein Company.
Maybe it’s the simple fact that a high-profile film written by a Palestinian is cause enough for Jewish opprobrium. Maybe it’s because the director of the film, Julian Schnabel, is Jewish, and his commitment to any perspective other than the dominant Jewish paradigm is akin to tribal and national betrayal. Maybe it’s because the distributor of the film, Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein was reared and raised a New York Jew and should know better – haven’t the Jews and their State of Israel had it hard enough?
Or, maybe a cultural malaise has taken hold that’s made it impossible for Jews to empathize with anyone but each other.
That the film ‘Miral,’ a portrait of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict seen through the eyes of an orphaned Palestinian girl is earning the early ire of mainstream Jewish groups is not at all surprising. It makes perfect sense that a film told from the Palestinian perspective would rouse cries of condemnation from the American Jewish Committee, the Simon Wiesenthal Center and others for being “one-sided” as AJC’s executive director David Harris wrote earlier this week, protesting the screening of the film for the U.N. General Assembly in New York (since when do Hollywood movies have an obligation to objectivity?). Another knee-jerk reaction came from SWC founder Rabbi Marvin Hier who called the screening of the film “anti-Israel” in a widely- released statement.
But this early condemnation is short-sighted and unfair. And not just to the film itself, but to the conversation American Jews might be having about Israel. That conversation, if it has any hope of pushing past party-line radicalism and a peace process stalemate, demands and deserves more than one perspective, as well as a deeper understanding of the ‘other’ – which a film like ‘Miral’ provides.
The Torah, Judaism’s most sacred text, admonishes again and again ‘love the stranger’, ‘remember the stranger’, ‘be kind to the stranger’ because ‘you were slaves in the land of Egypt.’ Have we forgotten? Or have we become so mired in our own neuroses about anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism and general Jewish existentialism that we can’t see past our own noses?
Schnabel doesn’t have that problem. In fact, the making of this film became a bridge both creatively and personally. According to Vanity Fair, he met Italian-Palestinian journalist Rula Jebreal at a party in 2007 and was so taken with her and the semi-autobiographical book upon which ‘Miral’ is based, he left his wife and committed himself to Jebreal and her story. ‘Love your neighbor as yourself…’
At the panel discussion following the screening last night, Rabbi Irwin Kula suggested that that’s exactly what’s missing in the conflict, noting an egregious lack of empathy on both sides.
“After 63 years of conventional diplomatic efforts, we’re pretty far away right now,” Kula, the president of CLAL, The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership said. “The conflict has literally crowded out the possibility of empathy on all sides.”
But film, he said, according to a press release, allows people to experience empathy for a character. “As everyone knows you can’t have understanding without empathy. And this film is fundamentally a meditation on empathy.”
Why is it then that when a respected and talented filmmaker such as Mr. Schnabel says that he feels a personal Jewish responsibility “to tell the story of the other side” he is reproved and not praised? Such an admission makes Schnabel one of those rarefied artists with the courage to challenge established paradigms in his work – which, I might add, is a Jewish thing to do. But instead of averring the dignity of his position, and the openness with which he is broaching the Israeli-Palestinian juggernaut, Schnabel is put on the defensive.
“I love the State of Israel,” he said after the U.N. screening. “I believe in it, and my film is about preserving it, not hurting it. Understanding is part of the Jewish way and Jewish people are supposed to be good listeners. But, if we don’t listen to the other side, we can never have peace.”
Maybe, when it comes to geopolitical conflicts, there is a problem of perennially bad timing. No doubt Schnabel’s film, which is openly and purposely sympathetic to the Palestinian position, will become the subject of even more undue scorn during a week in which Jewish blood was spilled at the hands of a Palestinian terrorist. Days ago, five members of the Fogel family were brutally slaughtered in their home in Itamar, a settlement in the West Bank. The sad fact of this tragedy will make it even harder for Jewish hearts to open. Especially during a week of tremendous heartbreak and grief, a week in which Jewish blood is up and anger is raging.
But even in grief, it’s a mistake to extrapolate blame for the actions of one man upon an entire people – just as Schnabel’s film about a sympathetic character does not render all Palestinians sympathetic characters. ‘Miral’ is primarily a portrait of one life, through which the plight of a people is surmised. That’s not to say there is no such thing as Palestinian terrorism, because there is; or that no Palestinians deserve Jewish scorn, because some do. But the reverse is also true: Israel has done wrong, Jews have hurt Palestinians.
“As a Jewish American, I can categorically state that I would not be releasing a film that was flagrantly biased towards Israel or Judaism,” Harvey Weinstein said in a statement. “‘Miral’ tells a story about a young Palestinian woman, but that does not make it a polemic. By stifling discussion or pre-judging a work of art, we only perpetuate the prejudice that does so much harm.”
Indeed, ‘Miral’ is asking us to pause from our consideration of Palestinians as ‘the other’ and instead to see a people with whom we might partner. It is asking us to consider the millions of Palestinians who are not terrorists, who desire economic opportunity, civil liberties and a chance to swim in the Mediterranean Sea.
If, as American Jews, we can’t even watch a movie in peace, I fear what that means for the peace prospects of an entire nation—or rather, two.
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oh please…the director didnt leave his wife for some high and mighty political or moral reason…he left her because jabreal look like this
http://www.spada.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Rula-Jebreal.jpg
and nowhere in the torah does it state that one must love the stranger who is trying to kill you
the protests over the movie are silly….critics are panning it
all the protests are doing is giving it free pub
it will be in and out of the theaters in a week
Thank you, Danielle, for writing in moderation, and asking why Jews can’t have moderate views about a film that shows the Palestinian perspective on Israel. We have to get away from Jewish exceptionalism and remind ourselves of the humanistic tradition in which Jews excelled for centuries before Israel existed.
Thank you very much for quoting me so accurately and for a piece that captures the tragic toxicity that surrounds conversation around the State of Israel in American Jewish life.
Miral is a beautiful film..a true story about a father, an Imam in the Al-Asqua mosque, who is passionately anti-violent, his young daughter who is coming of age, and the effect on them of the perpetual ever-present Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The true story is told from the perspective of a sixteen year old. It is one among myriad of perspectives but it is a personal not a political narrative. MIral invites people to think about how the political narratives of the conflict have erased any other story especially the intimate human stories that we share on all sides and that just might evoke empathy. As I said last night, empathy cracks through people’s certainty and certainty is the enemy of compassion.
This is really serious given the most recent polls of attitudes -see http://www.brookings.edu/events/2010/1209_mideast_public_opinion.aspx\, which, suggests that the Israeli and Palestinian publics are more ready to find common ground than their political leaders. Both peoples have diminished trust in their political leadership and the political process and 2000 is being called the lost decade. The data suggests there is an empathy deficit but here is an amazing piece of data: there is a far more hopeful attitude (almost 2 to 1) about the possibility of peace for Israelis who have Arab friends and Arabs who have Israeli friends than those who don’t. In other words, we have a situation in which there is openness on both sides to peace (65+%) but people don’t have faith in the political leadership to make peace. Israelis and Palestinians don’t trust each other but where there are friendships – in other words where the relationship is not exhausted by politics but where there is empathy – there is a sea change in attitudes. This is an invitation, an opening, to a different peace making process. This is the power of Miral.
The AJC and the SWC do much good work but Israel has become a third rail in American Jewish life such that the very telling of a story that evokes empathy about a Palestinian becomes anti-Israel and one-sided. The fact that the lead Palestinian characters are all serious advocates of non-violence, the fact that another central character- a Palestinian activist changes his political position from terrorist to non-violence at the cost of his life, the fact that the movie is fundamentally hopeful is all trumped by one house demolition, one scene of Israeli security beating someone accused of terrorism, and a couple of checkpoint scenes and the film - again a true story of a young woman’s growing up - becomes an act of self-hate, betrayal, and anti-Israel.
Something is very wrong in American Jewish life and the ferocity of attack on a film like Miral and on people who disagree with the “pro-Israel” part of the Jewish community either is a product of a genuine sense that we live in a moment of pikuach nefesh which makes marginalizing and vilifying those with whom one disagrees permitted or is a projection of repressed, disassociated, split off, and projected guilt about what is happening in Israel that is simply too painful to bear. Easier to attack Julian Schnabel and his film then to deal with where we may be wrong.
I urge people to go see Miral and decide for themselves if this film- made by a proud Jew - is anti-Israel or an invitation to simply feel empathy for another human being.
Rabbi irwin Kula
Could anyone imagine the tables being turned and a one-sided pro-Israel film be screened for the UN General Assembly? I can’t. The Arab-Muslim bloc of 56 countries would all vote against showing it.
The idea that the ‘quality’ of a film somehow mitigates war propaganda is grotesque. Certainly while the war is still being fought. Certainly when it is being used solely to persuade an organization to vote against the ‘enemy’.
By aesthetic standards Leni Rieffenstal’s ‘Triumph of the Will’ (a propaganda film made at the 1934 Nuremberg congress of the Nazi Party) was a masterpiece. Yet to play it other than in an academic or film buff setting would still be regarded as an insult to the 20 million who lost their lives because of Nazism and no one would ask the Russians, Poles, Czechs, French, English ... and Israelis why they couldn’t handle the ‘Triumph of the Will’ when they refused to have it played at the UN.
Thoughtful comments, but am troubled that
1. you state “a week in which Jewish blood was spilled at the hands of a Palestinian terrorist.”
Fact is no one knows who committed this terrible crime. Yet in a knee jerk manner put the blame on the “Palestinian Terrorist.” When there are more and more indications that this might not be the case, even though it is the immediate assumption.
2. More then once the reference to “Jewish Blood.” Can’t we move beyond small-minded tribal self understanding?
3. More tribalism here: “...one of those rarefied artists with the courage to challenge established paradigms in his work – which, I might add, is a Jewish thing to do. 2
It is a thinking human thing to do. Not a “Jewish thing.”
We are all one, all have red blood same emotions, feelings ,hearts.
I was saddended by your commentary.
“That’s not to say there is no such thing as Palestinian terrorism, because there is; or that no Palestinians deserve Jewish scorn, because some do. But the reverse is also true: Israel has done wrong, Jews have hurt Palestinians.”
Danielle, I don’t know how to say this politely: you are a fool. Based on your quote, Nazis = US, Stalin = Roosevelt, the Dalai Lama = Mao, Hussein = Gibran. Can you really not see that your “moral equivalency” while fashionable in leftist circles, is the height of immorality?
I haven’t seen the film, so I cannot comment about its content. However, I have read press coverage about the film and take issue with the way the facts regarding Deir Yassin have been portrayed by some mainstream publications.
For example, the September 3 edition of “The Washington Post” featured an article by Colleen Barry stating, among other things:
“The story starts in 1948, when a Palestinian woman, Hind Husseini, finds 55 children left orphaned in the Deir Yassin massacre, in which more than 250 Palestinian villagers were killed [emphasis added].”
In fact, the allegation that “more than 250 villagers were killed” in “the Deir Yassin massacre” is unfounded and discounted by contemporary Israeli and Arab historians. For example, Palestinian researchers Sharif Kana’ana and Nihad Zeitawi have asserted that the number of victims did not exceed 120. Even villagers who had survived the battle, such as Ayish Zeidan, stated that most of those who were killed were fighters including the women and children who had helped them.
This is not to say that we should not feel empathy for the victims. The death of any non-combattant within the battlefields is a tragedy. But even the moral imperative of empathizing with the victims does not grant a license to distort the truth about what happened. This applies to “Miral” as well.
“But even in grief, it’s a mistake to extrapolate blame for the actions of one man upon an entire people” - I’m not sure what you mean, when those people elect a political establishment that has as its core charter not only the destruction of Israel but the murder of every last jew! (Read the Hamas charter.)
As long as they are teaching hatred of jews and calling the murder of jewish people a holy act in Palestinian schools, it will be impossible to achieve peace, and in fact, it looks like that may be impossible at any time in the near future with an entire generation raised soup to nuts on hatred and violence.
Remember, peace is a worthy goal, but not at the expense of one’s own life - you cannot make peace with someone who is only waiting to kill you when your back is turned. Do you think Abu Mazen really wants peace? Do you think Hamas, or the people who elected them by majority, really want peace? No, they’ve come right out and said what they want - every last jew, dead. If you’re so blind that you won’t read their own words, there is no saving you.
Maybe Berrin and Kula should read this piece by David Harris. Then thay might wake up to the realities…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-harris/miral-israel-and-ajc_b_837383.html?msource=DAHBlog17&tr=y&auid=7968056
Personally….I think we have enough problems with half the world constantly trying to destroy us (Jews/Israel)....we don’t need Jewish Directors, Producers, Actors, etc. trying to prove how “even handed/thinking they are” by joining the mob!!!
It’s the same as Jews for Jesus!!!...Jews for Jesus are Christians…Jews should be for Jews!!!
Shame on Julian Schnabel…. Harvey Weinstein’s mother should give him up for adoption!!!
NOROG
Newbury Park, CA
Thanks for the well reasoned and calm reportage on this issue. My two biggest concerns about the screening of the film at the UN were: a) “Miral” has been pretty heavily panned as a film by about 75% of reviewers for its turgid and badly written dialog, poor acting, and weak directing; b) The screening was completely out of character for the UN, and appeared to be more for political, rather than educational, purposes. I likely will not pay to see the film because it is bad, not because it paints a dark picture of Israel. Israeli film makers have made many excellent and powerful films (Waltz with Bashir, Ajami,etc.)that are more deserving that Schnabel’s apparently overwrought tribute to his girlfriend.
Danielle 1107 words, 6431 characters; Kula 625 words, 3510 characters; me, Max 700 characters.
Ellen the martyrs brigade claimed “credit” for the butchery.
I have spent 30 years embedded in the Islamic world listening to them carefully. Unredeemed Palestinian land includes all of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and everything pre-1967 Israel. Their only difference is on exactly how to accomplish this. “The streets will run ankle-deep in Jewish blood.” And that includes you if they ever catch you.
Danielle, Ralph was talking about you… And I agree. I was told that when the devil comes he would quote (and misuse) the Torah. Please don’t wrap yourself up in Jewish Scriptures. The purpose of the UN screening is clear.
I no longer blame Palestinians, Arabs and others for hating the Jewish people. I blame those who facilitate and apologize for them. Collateral damage and the inevitable death of innocents is one thing but to apologize for the intentional murder of an infant… Children. You are even more so guilty of what’s to come. The Jews murdered during the Holocaust, do you apologize to the Nazis as well you sick and demented Liberals?...
Comment by Ralph on 3/19/11 at 5:25 am
Jeremiah 31:15 “Thus says the LORD: “A voice was heard on teh mountain heights, lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted for her children, Because they are no more.”
if hamas didnt take over gaza in coup..all pals especially women could have enjoyed the pleasures of swimming in the Med….under hamas women from gaza must swim in their burkini…...the imagery used in the advertising isnt about the artists freedom under the constitution to express oneself…the imagery used is anti semitic and deploreable
Lets see, the director leaves his Jewish wife for a very sexy younger Palestinian. Where are all the left wing feminists berating him for such awful behavior?
Were he not so entranced with her beauty, see here, http://www.spada.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Rula-Jebreal.jpg
would he have taken up her story with such devotion. History tells us that many men make fools of themselves when they become sexually involved with good looking women.
The larger story however, is that while her story may or may not contain elements of truth, the Palestinian narrative is never accurate and serves more as propaganda than reality. Putting that propaganda on the big screen is a dismal thing for someone to do who supposedly believes in the truth.
At such a sensitive time in Israels history, when the world is merging anti Zionism with anti Semitism, do we need a movie that takes such a biased view against Israel?
I’m all for the truth, which should include the incitement the Palestinian leaders give to their young to hate and kill Israelis, but this movie at best contains tidbits which tell only a fraction of the story.
Hollywood deals in making good movies, not accurate ones. Most of the time it’s harmless but I feel these two Jewish guys stepped over the line.
One because he is sexually enamored and the other because he’s always been a bit of a jackass.
As for the writer of the article, well, let’s make way for one more “useful idiot”.
You have got to be kidding me. He reportedly met a beautiful woman. Guess what changed him political views!
Exceptionally well-written article. Thank you, it was a delight reading.
2 points of concern- First, Schnabel made this movie after falling in love with the Palestinian woman whose story the movie depicts. Second, the film was shown at the UN. The power of the pussy and the shameless politicization of the UN.
The reaction of the Jewish organizations you mentioned was to the screening of the film to the UN General Assembly, not to the making of, or watching of, or appreciation of the film itself. Showing the film at the UN places it in a political context where its subjective nature is legitimately troublesome. You yourself point out that it is unreasonable to expect Hollywood films to be balanced and unbiased—which is why a film with a clear and unapologetic bias about a volatile political conflict should not be shown to a political body whose members have the power to set policies which will affect the nations involved in that conflict. I’m sure no one would object to the UN General Assembly viewing a journalistic documentary whose goal was to try and fairly present the facts and the perceptions of those facts by the two sides, Israeli and Palestinian.
Your last paragraph truly reveals an attempt to sensationalize and create a scandal that the media can feed on. Everyone who studies writing knows that the conclusion is where you reiterate the main idea of the piece. But you deftly attempted to switch the topic and pretend that the real issue is not the one you started out writing about, but this other one that is so much more outrageous, and therefore makes your article more punchy. You imply that it’s not about the statements of a few Jewish organizations, but about “American Jews” intolerance of other views, or an attempt to boycott the film. No one is saying that American Jews can’t watch a film about Palestinians “in peace,” and no one is calling on Jews to boycott the film!
I am a Jew who believes that the futures of Israelis and Palestinians are intertwined and mutually dependent. We are either both going up, or both going down. I have watched many films that give voice to the Palestinian perspective—some of them were even made by Jews!—I am by no means the only Jew who can make these claims. So, it is ridiculous and wrong for you to imply otherwise. Sadly, by doing so, you’ve only helped to further drive a wedge between the two groups.
TO DAVE: THANK YOU! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!!
In Schnabel’s film, it is the Jew who has become the other. As the proverb says, half a truth is a lie; and Schnabel, who like many so-called ‘progressive’ Jews has no problem with the ethnic-cleansing of Jews from Judea and Samaria (the Nazi’s term is “judenrein”), Schnabel has produced a big lie with this movie. His sentimentality is malignant. Feh!
Dave: I salute.
You have made some fine observations Danielle.
Predictably, many readers will stop themselves from even daring to imagine being in a relationship with those on the other side. They will react out of anger, indifference and fear. However, there are those who will eventually take the tentative steps they need to. Your observations will help them.
DAMON for30+ years, I maintained many deep relationships with other camp I do not find posts to be the result of people not “even daring to imagine being in a relationship with those on the other side”. Nor do I find overwhelming # of responses to be based on “anger, indifference and fear”.
Concerns I voice are based on many discussions & are shared by the former comdr of the Saudi Navy, those close to the Iran"s nuc program, & some close associates ofSheik Nasrallah.
Please do not impugn the motivations &capabilities; of any of us.
I believe those in the Jewish community that belittle the concerns &those; that voice them are risking Jewish lives &even; the existence of Israel.
Liberal American Jewish ( and I use the word Jewish only in the sense of an accident of birth ) director drops in on Israel and makes a pro-palestinian film because he is screwing a hot Arab woman. And this lets him take a bow in left wing circles and college campuses. That’s all this is. What surprises me is that a publication that has Jewish in its title gives this crap pulblicity
Danielle, while I applaud your writing of this article in a Jewish publication, I need to point out that your reference to a “Palestinian terrorist” murdering the settler family in Itamar is incorrect and misleading. There was never a single Palestinian arrested or charged with the crime, and now reports have come out pointing to a Thai worker who had previously threatened the family for not paying him. (And why those living in the Jews-only settlements are importing workers from Thailand is a whole other matter…)Please make a note of it.
@Laura Schlefer, sorry baby. Indeed Not just one was arrested, but a dozen of them. Go spread your propaganda around your friends. Read here
http://www.abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=231573
and here http://yourjewishnews.com/4631.aspx
@Schleifler baby, can you Google? Here is more for you: “Two cousins are now in Israeli custody and are suspected in the slayings. Ahmed Awad is an officer in Abbas’ Preventative Security Services in the northern West Bank city of Nablis. Iyad Awad is an officer in Abbas’ General Intelligence services in Ramallah.”
Both the Preventative and General Intelligence services of Fatah are armed, trained and funded by the U.S.
It was not immediately clear whether the duo were arrested for planning the attack or for personally carrying out the murders.
Full Disclosure: “‘For me, art and activism are intertwined,’ says writer-actor Laura Schleifer. ‘I created the word ‘artivist’ to describe me.’ Last year, Schleifer participated in a six-week tour of the West Bank, Egypt, and Jordan, performing with a British troupe called Boomchucka Circus, a company that combined traditional circus with theater… Schleifer was ambivalent as the solo Jew in her theater group, especially in the West Bank, where she felt an added layer of guilt and responsibility for what she viewed as Israel’s excessive force in the region. Hebrew, a language she had always found familiar and comforting, suddenly felt oppressive to her when she saw it scrawled on walls or posters in the West Bank.” http://www.backstage.com/bso/news-and-features-features/conflicts-and-interests-1004044271.story
wow so many things wrong with the article and following comments i don’t know where to start, first of all, the torah doesn’t actually say love the stranger for you were strangers in the land of egypt, both times it uses the word “ger” which literally means sojourner, the word ger in Judaism refers to converts to Judaism, in this part you reference it is a play on words using the vernacular biblical meaning to refer to the converts and the literal meaning to refer to Jews in Egypt while they were “sojourning” in Egypt trying to live peacefully with no success, this play on words is meant to inspire jews to the expectation of compassion for converts who leave their people to humbly and often with a great deal of anxiety join the Jewish people and accept the torah, the word “ger” is later used to describe all matters of biblical laws relating to converts specifically or pointing out that a law applies both to Jews and gers… if the american jewish author had ever studied the torah instead of getting pop quotes from wikipedia he would know this…
saying the Palestinians are “gers” in either sense of the play on words he sited is obviously absurd, the Palestinians that live and always have lived peacefully in Israel are not “gers” but gentiles that deserve to be treated well and of course they are.
What judaism does teach is that g-d not only allows self defense, but commands it, when people are trying to commit murder g-d commands us to stop them in any way we can or we violate the law “though shalt not stand idly by your brothers blood” even in cases a person is intentionally putting lives at risk we are commanded to kill them if it is the only means to stop an imminent slaying, this is the reason we are not only allowed but required to terminate a dangerous pregnancy before the baby is born because the baby is unintentionally but inevitably going to kill its mother,
Im not going to go into pointing out the usual self-hating blame israel first nonsense that is so typical of liberal jews today and the fact that israel has been offering, not preventing peace since its founding and the obvious fact to anyone with any common sense that peace is not the objective of the enemies of israel, because frankly its so predictable and boring,
but an obviously uneducated and secular jew attempting to use torah to criticize israel in such a ignorant way, that’s really something…
thank you very much for an excellent thought provoking article. much appreciated
i’d like to point out one thing tho..the criminal(s) who slaughtered the fogel family have not been determined or apprehended and there is now a gag order from discussing it in the israel press. it is inappropriate under these circumstances to assume it was the work of a ‘palestininan terrorist’ anymore than one should assume of the oshenko family murder in israel last year carried out by a russian israeli.
Yes Annie, we should hold off thinking the vicious murder of an Israeli family including babies was the work of Islamic terrorists; after all, it might have been the work of Bhuddists; or who knows, maybe some crazed Amish.
Annie, when you wake up in the morning, I’m sure you need a list of directions: brush teeth, take a shower, etc. Add to the list: I will not make myself look stupid in my JJ postings.
“I Understand the Arabs wanting to wipe us out,
But do they really expect us to cooperate?”. Golda Meir 1967
Wake up…. There are many films about other peoples realities that many would be open to.
This movie has subtle lies woven throughout. That’s why certain people are upset, give people some credit, they aren’t upset because they can’t empathize. Jeez.
In the comments posted so far, I have seen the film compared to Leni Rieffenstal’s propaganda, the Palestinians accused of teaching hatred of Jews, Schnabel denounced as a “self hating Jew,” and on and on, often from people who admit they haven’t even seen the film. All they do is further convince me how important it is for people to see films like this one. I believe, as did Gandhi and King, that the road to peace is paved with understanding.
So thank you each to J. Schnabel, R-Jebreal, and Danielle, for laying another cobblestone in that long unfinished road. Miral is beautiful and powerful, and not at all anti-Israeli. Instead, it’s pro-Peace, pro-understanding, and pro-empathy.
I did a double take when I read these perverse lines in the piece above (my words in brackets):
“he met [drop dead gorgeous] Italian-Palestinian journalist Rula Jebreal at a party in 2007 and was so taken with her and the semi-autobiographical book upon which ‘Miral’ is based, he left his wife [of almost 20 years] and committed himself to Jebreal and her story. ‘Love your neighbor as yourself…’”
Methinks Ms. Berrin is confusing philandering with philanthropy. The more proper liberal formulation of the commandment that Mr. Schnabel was purportedly following was “Love yourself”, or better yet, “love your half your age gorgeous neighbor more than the old hag”.
Hey Mini, do you even READ articles you link/post on message boards? Because for all your stupid indignation about how it couldn’t have been an Asian worker in the case you mentioned, your own STUPID ARTICLE says this (after mentioning the arrest to interview Palestinians): “New evidence suggests the culprit in the Itamar killings was an Asian worker angered over not receiving wages after working for the head of the deceased family.”
Now, how embarrassed are you that you wasted all of our time posting links you don’t even READ that make a fool out of you?
As an Islamic studies scholar, the article brought back memories. Your manipulative diatribe, disturbing. Sad that a Jewish writer expresses self-hatred along with Schnabel. A NAQBA is centuries of persecution under Muslim rule! Find me a Muslim embracing the Jew & Zionism! Read the Qu’ran, then rewrite your review. In the video you chuckle that “half the world is against the Jews”. Actually, it’s “3/4 of the world”! The venom you spout reminds me of my Columbia U. days during which hatred of Israel, Zionism & the Jew was the norm. Educate yourself so you can comment accurately. As a “Jewish” writer you have lost sight of the big picture, both figuratively and literally.
Shefa: I wonder when you went to Columbia U. because when I went to college in the late 70s, I didn’t meet anyone who was against the Jews or Zionism. Israel had enormous support. Today, it’s not the Jews that half the world is against, it’s the illegal occupation and settlement of Palestinian land. If some of today’s Jews have trouble with this, it may be because any Jew who acknowledges this is dismissed with that “self-hating-Jew” cliche. But many Jewish dissidents do acknowledge it, and there is nothing self hating about them. They’re some of the most life-affirming people I have met, and we should listen to them. Have you seen the film? I’d like to know what you think.
@DF
REALPROBs
Pre67attacks on Israel f W Bank Jordan wouldn’t stop murderous assaults
mx fired f Gaza terrorize Jewish pop & make cert cities ghost towns
Hezbollah crossing border & killing Jewish civilians
Hezbollah f using its 50,000 adv mx against thousands Israeli civilians
Hezbollah f violating inter law by diverting waters that normally flow to Israel
Suicide bombers strolling f Jenin (as they frequently did before sep barrier) into Israel to create carnage
In spite ofleaks, Abbas, Fayyad,rest of PA not budged f min demands WBank, EJerusalem100% Jew free; full right of return for Palesrefugees & ALL descendants to all of Israel thus,tomorrow all of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, etc
Howard.
I’m well aware of all that. Have you seen the film? We should all be aware of the views of both sides.
Haven’t seen film.Read many reviews don’t know reviewers thus can’t comment on quality
Do not object to anybody seeing & do not support boycotts.did support Jewish gps objectingUN used as a forum.That is what the AJC did
Believe discussion hijacked by those who use this as a vehicleI to bash Israel w/ what I regard as untruths Agree discussion should be over specifics & should not have deviated.
While many Israeli govt actions are stupid/wrong, my experience in Islamic camp convince me Israel is in Jeopardy
As an American I thank God I’m not responsible for making crucial decisions. I sympathize with all govts of Israel who can’t afford to be wrong even once if Israel is to survive.
This article is an apology for an anti-semitic, anti-Israel, and pro-hamas film. This trash belongs in the hezbollah newspaper. Danielle Berrin is not even a Jew! The controversy against this movie has nothing to do with feeling compassion for the Arab so-called “Palestinians”, it has to do with lies and bias against Israel.
The movie is based on the Arab Islamic distortion of Israel’s history. It’s an outrage the the “Jewish Journal” would defend a movie like this.
It’s no coincindence that Danielle Berrin writes for the British “Guardian” an unbashed Israel-hating, pro-Islamic terrorist newspaper. Why is this anti-semite working here? She should be fired immediately!
@MAXI: I realize nothing can chill your profound hate for Jews and Israel. But you know, we have been dealing with people like you over a period of 2000 years, and we still survive. Regarding those who slaughtered the sleeping family in Itamar, here is the latest for you: “March 29 (UPI)—The mayor of a Palestinian village said scores of residents have been arrested by Israel since the slaying of an Israeli family in a nearby settlement” http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2011/03/29/Scores-arrested-after-Itamar-attack/UPI-33841301399715/#ixzz1ICgZ8D88
Let me understand, Jews living in a place some claim they shouldn’t be and it’s ok to slit their throats. This is the human rights attitude Jews have come to accept as OK. This is what the readers of the JJ believe is justice?
There is an old expression about a man thinking with his small head, in this case he chose this over integrity and the security of his people. I am sad that Jews made and now defend this propaganda piece, there is no explaining how we arrived at this place.
You know why I don’t like Jews who blindly cling to a self-serving narrative that perpetuates human rights atrocities? It’s not because they’re Jewish. It’s because they’re stupid. Just like Christians, Muslims, and anybody else who does that sort of thing.
Criticizing the atrocities of the Israeli military is not anti-Semitism. This ethnocentric tribalism a joke to me. Be a human being.
Ryan, there are so many human rights atrocities committed by the Muslims and the rest of the world that cast a pall on the consciousness of the honest righteous, how does a self righteous bigot manage to focus on the minuscule issues involving the IDF? Talk about stupid.
JJJ
Well, we’re on a thread about an Israel/Palestine film, aren’t we? I suppose I could have talked about Egypt, or Saudi Arabia, or pondered say, the Congo. But that seems a little off topic.
Does the fact that there is “even MORE horrible” suffering in other places render the conversation irrelevant? Why is a simple acknowledgement of Palestinian suffering so offensive?
And as for “the minuscule issues involving the IDF” - what a ridiculous choice of words. The occupation is a grave breach of the Geneva convention. Settlement, the Gaza invasion…those aren’t “miniscule” events. And I’m not a bigot for pointing that out.
@RJ: Because when all those bad things are happening around the world, and the entire world including you focus 99% of their attention ONLY on Israel (and I hope you can agree with me that the Atabs contribute their fair share to the conflict), this is wrong. In fact it is smells of antisemitism.
“you focus 99% of their attention ONLY on Israel…In fact it is smells of antisemitism.”
But @Mini, that’s just not true. The American liberals I know who criticize Israel are also quite unhappy about US support for brutal regimes in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and other places.
Why is this movie is so controversial? Why are Weinstein and Schnabel “self-hating?” Even the most hardline Zionist could at LEAST admit that normal Palestinians suffer terribly as a result of the conflict. But you don’t seem interested in seeing that. Thinking someone who is Jewish is wrong is NOT anti-semitism, and you should stop calling it that.
@Ryan Johnson: You know why I don’t like gentiles who blindly deny the Jewish narrative of perpetuates human rights atrocities? It’s not because they’re gentiles. It’s because they’re stupid. (CONT)
@Ryan Johnson (Cont’ed): Criticizing the Israeli military is NOT anti-Semitism. But focusing on Israel’s “atrocities” 99% of your attention is definitely anti-Semitism. Denying the security dilemma facing Israelis every single day, with tens of thousands rockets aimed at every city, with a 20% rogue minority, with Iran nuke threat, this is where you are losing me. And again, it has nothing to do with you being a gentile, because there are millions of American gentiles who I trust more than my fellow Jew; it’s about being a human being.
@Ryan Johnson: And yes, the way you are expressing yourself, I can smell the familiar odor of an anti-semite. I know, you are in denial. Like you I feel that ethnocentric tribalism is a joke; being a Jew does not mean you cannot be an anti-semite.
The media is pro-Palestinian and so is Obama. The liberal media seems to be full of Palestinian sympathizers. Nowadays, I think Americans are more exposed to the plight of the Palestinians more than the reasons for a Jewish state. This one-sided movie will just strengthen the anti-Zionist views so many seem to have recently.
@girl-age15: That’s absurd. Study your foreign and military aid, your voting on UN resolutions, and read the New York Times.
@Mini et al Fine, I surrender. I can’t argue with your bizarre measures of my attention-to-world atrocities-by-percentage, or your projections on what I think about the threats facing Israel and how they might be mitigated. Your arguments are beyond flawed - but this just isn’t the forum to take apart them apart, and there’s no point in trying to discuss anything with you anyway, because you’ll just label me a racist.
So let me make sure I understand the arguments being offered here:
a) Any portrayal of any Palestinian as having suffered at the hands of the Israeli government is inherently anti_Semitic?
b)Any portrayal of any Palestinian - whether a baby or a grandmother - as anything other than a bloodthirsty Jew-hating terrorist, is inherently anti-Semitic?
c) equating any and all Palestinians - whether baby or grandmother - with the Hamas charter is not only in no way racist, but actually demanded as a duty of self-defense?
Is that about it?
Is that about it?
@Headscratcher: Answers: (a) No; (b) No; (c) No.
HOWeVER: Putting the blame on Israel’s shoulders, without blaming a terrorist culture which uses innocent Palestinians as pawns is anti-semitic. Embolding Palestinian demands for the right of return, thereby delegitimizing Jewish rights for self determination in their historic homeland is anti-Sem. Denying Israelis the right for self defence is ant-sem. Criticizing Israel while denying the Palestinian incitement is anti-sem. Etc, etc, etc. And the more you do it, the more you reaffirm Israel’s concerns. Comprehend?
@RJ: Correct, you and I do not have much to discuss. I will still give you that: I admit that normal Palestinians suffer terribly as a result of the conflict. But unfairly putting the entire the blame on Israel is unjust, over simplistic and it only makes things worse.
Correct, not interested in seeing the movie. I have seen bash-Israel movies ad-nauseam , mostly Israeli made. It’s time for a balancing movie, no? Besides, imdb rated it 5.8/10. Why would anyone spend money on a mediocre film is beyond me. Can we at least agree on this point?
@mini:
“Embolding Palestinian demands for the right of return, thereby delegitimizing Jewish rights for self determination in their historic homeland is anti-Sem”
So the only legitimate reason to suggest that people be allowed to return to their ancestral homes, from which they were illegally evicted, is to deny the Jews access to their own ancient history and the dignity thereof?
“Criticizing Israel while denying the Palestinian incitement is anti-sem.”
So what do you call people who justly criticize the terror tactics of some Palestinians, yet deny the provocations and incitements of the Israeli government in its occupation and settlement policies on their lands?
@Headscratcher - those thoughts are way to nuanced for this crowd. “their historic homeland?” God help me, I’d need 1000 words to point out all the things that are wrong with that idea.
It also occurred to me to call out the absurdity of the Gaza invasion as a legitimate response to rocket fire, and to ask why reasonable diplomacy seems to be discarded as a form of self-defense, and to point out that voting on UN resolutions, and recent leaked information about the negotiations, points to an entirely rejectionist stance on both the part of Israel and the US.
But of course, I’m super racist, so my arguments for non-violent solutions are not worthy of consideration.
RJ, your bias or stupidity once again is on display: “the absurdity of the Gaza invasion as a legitimate response”. Right, America would react to 10,000 missiles blowing up in California and launched from Mexico by sending a diplomatic note.
RJ/Head, you and your ilk have been trying to destroy Jews for 1,000’s of years because we represent Gds attempt to educate mankind in general to a Gdly way of life - and the pathetic, evil cretinous creatures that you represent don’t like it. So keep on allying yourself with the Jewkillers - I expect you won’t like what happens to you in the after life.
George,
“Missiles?” Rockets are missiles now? LOL. And my stupidity is on display. Why don’t you go look at the respective civilian death tolls from that war. Take a look at how many people died from rocket fire in the years leading up to the 2008 invasion.
You’re sick and you’re logic is twisted. I’ll start preparing my explanation to your God of my distaste for violence, theft, oppression, and self-righteous pride. Wish me luck.
R.
@RJ:
“@Headscratcher - those thoughts are way to nuanced for this crowd. “their historic homeland?” God help me, I’d need 1000 words to point out all the things that are wrong with that idea.”
Well if we’re going to discuss nuance, I didn’t use the phrase “historic homeland.” I called it their “ANCESTRAL homeland.” Which is is by definition, since I’m talking about people whose ancestors lived there, and can often if not usually point to the exact plot of ground on which they lived, and to which many still have the keys and deeds.
Or am I misreading your nuance here?
@RJ, @Head. So I was correct. You deny Jewish rights for self determination in their historic homeland. Hence, for me you are both racists and anti-semitic. This concludes my discussion with you. I have nothing else to say to you, other than Israel is alive and thriving and will continue. I know how much you hate this idea, which makes it extra sweet for many of us.
In reading the comments here, I’m struck by how many people are using an “us vs. them” mentality. It should be obvious that the Palestinians, like the Jews, are a diverse group with a wide range of views, but they are being lumped into a single monolithic “anti-semitic” group.
In Israel, there are Israeli Jews who accompany Palestinians to their non-violent protests, in order to protect them from a harsh response by the IDF. (Their mere presence changes the IDF’s rules of engagement.) These Israelis, and their Palestinian friends, are my heroes. They are fighting for self determination for everyone. They’re open to the stories from the other sides, and we should be, too.
@Orlando: “...their Palestinian friends, are my heroes. They are fighting for self determination for everyone.”
Orlando, can you name the Palestinian leaders/public figure who express—in Arabic—an agreement, let alone “fighting” for Jewish self determination?
Asking for a Palestinian leader “fighting for Jewish self determination” would be like asking for a black American civil rights leader fighting for “white self determination.” Your question misses the point.
Having said that, you might want to look up Mubarak Awad, who, in promoting non-violent resistance to Israeli occupation, is fighting for Palestinian rights in a way that doesn’t threaten Israeli rights. There are others, too, if you bother to look. But, of course, you need to read the Arabic press to find them writing in Arabic.
@ orlando"if you bother to look. But, of course, you need to read the Arabic press to find them writing in Arabic.” TRUE One such leader is a former comdg officer of Saudi navy. He received training in US. He is a forthright exponent of recognizing Israel.
However, you do us a disservice when you demean or nitpick others submissions.. The major problem is that a significant and powerful force wants to destroy Israel. No one says 100%… But your posts demean those who express realistic concern.
If we estimate only one in 1000 wants to kill Jews then there would be thousands of potential dedicated murderers roaming Israel and the world on their homicidal missions
@ orlando
Subject: Afternoon Update: Afghans Angry Over Florida Koran Burning Kill U.N. Staff
from the New York Times
Howard: If I do a disservice by nitpicking other submissions, are you doing a disservice by nitpicking mine? This is a debate forum. Are you saying that opinions contrary to yours aren’t welcome?
And if 1 in 1000 “wants to kill Jews”, then 999 out of a thousand want to live in peace, and there should be plenty of opportunity to reach an agreement that provides for a strong police force to root out the rest. I want to hear what those 999 others have to say. Don’t you?
As for your article about the the tragic events in Afghanistan, it does a good job of illustrating how harmful it is to express hatred, and how important it is for all sides to try to understand each other.
@Orlado Googled Mubarak Awad: “...a Palestinian-American psychologist… a Christian”... SIGH. Orlando my friend, we have a bit of a problem understanding each other… But anyway, you said earlier “they are fighting for self determination for everyone”, then you say “would be like asking for a black American civil rights leader fighting for white self determination. Your question misses the point.” Orlando, you said it, not me. Which is which? Are you a different Orlando? I am having a bad headache…
@Orlando: “would be like asking for a black American civil rights leader fighting for white self determination.” When exactly did a black American civil rights leader ever REJECTED white self determination? Please Orlando, educate us.
DFree
Lara Logan and now this. Please tell me in where I"m deficient for not seeking further understanding. I worked in Pakistan, Egypt. Now, I am terrified.
KABUL: Protesters angered by burning of a Quran by a fringe American pastor in Florida mobbed offices of the UN in Afghanistan on Friday.The attack began when hundreds of demonstrators, some armed, poured out of mosques after Friday prayer and headed to the headquarters of the UN in Mazar-e-Sharif . They disarmed the guards and overran the compound.Eight of the foreign staffers, whose nationalities were not known immediately, were killed by gunfire, and two others were captured and then beheaded Five Afghans were also killed.
To all Israel-haters: Richard Goldtone, Wash Post yesterday: “The allegations of intentionality by Israel were based on the deaths of and injuries to civilians in situations where our fact-finding mission had no evidence on which to draw any other reasonable conclusion. While the investigations published by the Israeli military and recognized in the U.N. committee’s report have established the validity of some incidents that we investigated in cases involving individual soldiers, they also indicate that civilians were not intentionally targeted as a matter of policy.”
Godstone: “...While I welcome Israel’s investigations into allegations, I share the concerns reflected in the McGowan Davis report that few of Israel’s inquiries have been concluded and believe that the proceedings should have been held in a public forum. Although the Israeli evidence that has emerged since publication of our report doesn’t negate the tragic loss of civilian life, I regret that our fact-finding mission did not have such evidence explaining the circumstances in which we said civilians in Gaza were targeted, because it probably would have influenced our findings about intentionality and war crimes.”
Goldstone in Wash Post: “...The Israeli military’s numbers [of Palestinian casualties] have turned out to be similar to those recently furnished by Hamas (although Hamas may have reason to inflate the number of its combatants).”
Well, one can say whatever they want about intentionality, but the fact remains that in the years leading up to that invasion, over 6,000 Palestinians were killed by Israeli security forces, while less than 50 Israelis were killed by Palestinians. Take from that what you will. http://www.btselem.org/english/statistics/casualties.asp
Now RJ complains that not enough Jews died in the hands of the Palestinians. You may recall RJ is the “nuance” guy whose main concern is Jewish self-determination in their historic homeland, not the number of dead Palestinians. His moral relativism is just a cover for his deep anti-Semitism, and I normally would not honor such racists with an answer, so I apologize for violating my own rule. [cont]
To start with, according to him 6000 Palestinians were killed by Israelis vs. less than 50 Jews killed by the Palestinians. I am not going to dignify these dazzling numbers with a response; some lies are so blatant they do not warrant a serious answer. In any event, I could only wish he was correct with regard to the number of Jewish casualties. {CONT]
Indeed, more Palestinians ended up dead than Israelis. But the inaccuracy of his numbers is not the most troubling here; here is the bizarre moralistic world of the leftist anti-Semites. They will never be satisfied unless they see more dead Jews. [cont]
This is an upside-down world, where the weak is always right, and the strong is always wrong. There is now a new benchmark invented uniquely for Jews. One should wonder if JR is bothered with the ratio of cops/criminals casualties, American/Japanese casualties during WW2, the ratio of American/Nazi casualties, the ratio of American/Serb casualties in Kosovo, American/Libyan ratio, American/Al Qaeda, etc. So, just what is the “right” number of dead Jews that would satisfy them? I suppose, their answer is the higher the better. It is a world where fighting Jews can never win, regardless of how right they are.[CONT]
This duplicity, holding Jews to different standards is another proof of his anti-Semitism. With people like him, live Jews will never win. Sorry RJ, we are not marching to the gas chambers. And yes, the IDF of which I was a proud member, under these tough circumstances is indeed the most moralistic military in the world. Sorry to disappoint you all, but we are bent on staying alive at all costs.
Finally, the tragic part of this is that this duplicity emboldens the Arab radicals. They see that they are getting traction just by pretending to be the underdog. It also emboldens the Israeli hard liners, who see how the world will never be satisfied with any Israeli concession, and how it is, once again, that if they take any risks, the world will never stand up for them in times of trouble.
@Avi, you’re hatred fueled projection is just insane. How about this: I don’t think anybody, of any race or creed, especially civilians, should have to die. How’s that? I’m for peace. But on this board the fact that I or anyone else even acknowledges that anyone besides a Jew has ever suffered, or that less violent means could preserve Israel’s security, makes me a racist who wants to murder Jews.that’s just crazy, I’m ashamed I even take it seriously enoough to respond.
Thank you AVI. your posts are clear. Your facts and assertions check out. Your presentation is welcome. You are rational and to a non-Jewish independent observer like me who is been deeply involved in the area they help me understand. Again thank you, you’re doing a great service by offering your information and views.The original topic was a motion picture which was featured by the UN. The featuring of this picture by the UN was part of an anti-Israel campaign. The question originally raised was did Jewish sources have a right to protest the filming of this admittedly anti-Israel film at the UN forum.There was no balance. Thus, The answer is yes!
It is clear that the author of the novel had a specific picture in mind, much of it based on hearsay to her. It is also clear that the author has a decidedly anti-Israel bias. No one has challenged the artistic freedom of the author or director. What they were challenging was its use as part of an anti-Israel campaign in the UN
Most of the anti-Israel postings in this discussion are irrelevant. What is relevant is whether the “protest” by the American Jewish committee and others was valid and within bounds.
After reading the articles and the postings I have concluded the answer is yes! These protests were within bounds and very much justified.
@Christian, thanks for being a friend. I read an interview with Schnabel today. War is never pretty,teh occupation is a subject of controversy in Israel itself and I do not doubt his sincerity and I feel that he had the right to make a movie. But things he said in the interview bothered me much more than the movie. His arrogance, his tirade, his sense of moral superiority and his inability to relate to the Israeli side, was troubling.