Just watched an extraordinary, moving, surprising documentary, My Neighborhood: a Palestinian Boys View of Palestinian Settlements / Occupation, on Al Jazeera America. Here are links to the Peabody award-winning film (26 minutes): https://youtube/watch?v=zZxhaPDS66s and the trailer (3 minutes): https://youtube/watch?v=QtScEbTMDWE Hope youll take the time to watch. Id never heard of Sheikh Jarrah -- had you? See especially the appearance -- among the Israeli protesters supporting the Palestinians -- of Netanyahus sister-in-law, Ofra Ben-Arzi. Heres a synopsis: Mohammed El Kurd is a Palestinian boy growing up in the neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah in the heart of East Jerusalem. When Mohammed turns 11, his family is forced to give up part of their home to Israeli settlers, who are leading a campaign of court-sanctioned evictions to guarantee Jewish control of the area. Shortly after their displacement, Mohammeds family and other residents begin peacefully protesting against the evictions, determined not to lose their homes for good. In a surprising turn, they are quickly joined by scores of Israeli supporters who are horrified to see what is being done in their name. Among them is Jewish West Jerusalem resident Zvi Benninga and his sister Sara, who develop a strong relationship with Mohammed and his family as they take on a leading role in organizing the protests. Through their personal stories, My Neighbourhood goes beyond the sensational headlines that normally dominate discussions of Jerusalem and captures voices rarely heard, of those striving for a shared future in the city. My Neighbourhood follows Mohammed as he comes of age in the midst of unrelenting tension and remarkable cooperation in his backyard. Highlighting Mohammeds own reactions to the highly volatile situation, reflections from family members and other evicted residents, accounts of Israeli protesters and interviews with Israeli settlers, the film chronicles the resolve of a neighbourhood and the support it receives from the most unexpected of places. My Neighbourhood is directed and produced by Rebekah Wingert-Jabi, who documented Mohammeds story over two years, and acclaimed filmmaker Julia Bacha. It is the latest production by Just Vision, an award-winning team of Palestinian, Israeli, North and South American filmmakers, journalists and human rights advocates dedicated to telling the stories of Israelis and Palestinians working nonviolently to achieve security, freedom and peace in the region.
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 00:25:24 +0000
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