10 films about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Israeli forces killed 9 Palestinians and wounded 50 Palestinians in their raid on the West Bank. As global reaction poured in, Palestinian groups declared that the attack would not go unanswered.

Here are the movies that shed light on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that has been going on for years:

Jenin, Jenin (2002) – documentary directed by Mohammed Bakri, recounting the events surrounding the Israeli army’s invasion of the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank in April 2002.

While the film offers a subjective perspective on events in the camp, in interviews with Palestinian residents and eyewitnesses, he recounts his experiences and shares his personal stories about the occupation. The film shows the destruction and devastation caused by the Israeli military operation and the alleged violations of the human rights of Palestinian civilians.

The documentary takes a highly critical approach, accusing the Israeli army and government of war crimes and human rights abuses. The documentary, which reveals the suffering and loss experienced by the Palestinian people, highlights the emotional and psychological impact of the conflict on individuals and communities.

Paradise Now (2005): The film tells the story of two Palestinian childhood friends, Said and Khaled, who are assigned as suicide bombers for an attack in Tel Aviv. The film examines their journey as they prepare for the mission, their inner struggles and doubts, and the complexity of their personal lives and relationships.

paradise now

Paradise Now explores the psychological and moral dilemmas facing the two leads, revealing their perspectives and motivations without justifying or glorifying their actions. The film raises thought-provoking questions about the motivations behind suicide attacks and the impact of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on individuals and societies. The film received a nod from critics and was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 78th Academy Awards.

Omar (2013): Directed by Hany Abu-Assad, the film is about the young Palestinian baker Omar, who lives in the West Bank and becomes involved in the conflict between the Israeli army and Palestinian insurgents.

Omar, along with his childhood friends Tarek and Amjad, carry out acts of resistance against the Israeli forces. But when one of his attacks goes awry and an Israeli soldier is killed, Omar is arrested and forced to work as an informant for the Israeli intelligence service.

As Omar navigates a treacherous environment of mistrust and suspicion, he is forced to confront moral dilemmas and make difficult decisions that put his relationships and his own safety at risk. Dealing with the themes of love, trust and the price of freedom, the film highlights the difficulties faced by people living in a politically charged and volatile environment.

omar

The Attack (2012): The 2012 film directed by Ziad Doueiri is a Lebanese drama based on the novel of the same name by Yasmina Khadra. The film tells the story of Amin Jaafari, a respected Palestinian surgeon living in Tel Aviv, Israel. Amin has a successful career and a loving relationship with his wife, Sihem. But their lives are shattered when a suicide attack occurs in Tel Aviv, and Amin learns that his wife is responsible for the attack.

Devastated and in disbelief, Amin embarks on a journey to discover the truth behind his wife’s actions. He travels to the West Bank to delve into Sihem’s past and try to understand what could have led him to engage in such a horrific act of violence. Amin’s search leads him to confront the complex realities of his own identity, his beliefs, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The attack

Rock the Casbah (2012): Set during the First Intifada, when the Palestinians revolted against the Israeli occupation in the late 1980s, the film examines the dynamics within a family of Israeli soldiers serving in the Gaza Strip.

The story revolves around the death of the head of the family and his three adult daughters, their wives and children gather for the funeral. Tensions arise as the family reunites at his father’s house and grapples with personal conflicts, cultural differences, and the realities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The film depicts interactions between family members and encounters with Palestinian characters, highlighting the complexities, prejudices, and misunderstandings that result from the ongoing conflict. It explores themes such as identity, family, and the impact of political turmoil on personal relationships.

Rock the Casbah

Bethlehem (2013): The film is a thriller that deals with the complex relationship between an Israeli secret service officer and a young Palestinian informant. Directed by Yuval Adler, the film takes place in the city of Bethlehem, which has symbolic significance for both Israelis and Palestinians.

The story is about Razi, an Israeli intelligence officer, who recruits the young Palestinian Sanfur, the younger brother of a wanted militant, as an informant. The lines between loyalty, friendship and betrayal are blurred when Razi tries to gather information to capture Sanfur’s brother, a high-ranking Palestinian militant.

Belen

By examining the complex power dynamics between the Israeli security apparatus and the Palestinian resistance, the film offers insight into the human cost of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Lemon Tree (2008): Directed by Eran Riklis and inspired by true events, the film chronicles the struggle of a Palestinian woman named Salma Zidane to protect her lemon orchard.

Salma, a middle-aged widow, lives in the West Bank of Palestine. Her family has owned a lemon orchard for generations, and this garden holds great moral value to him. But when the Israeli Defense Minister moves in next door to her, security forces perceive Salma’s lemon trees as a potential threat and demand they be removed to ensure her safety.

the lemon tree

Unwilling to leave her ancestral land, Salma hires a young lawyer named Ziad Daud to help her deal with the Israeli government’s decision. As Salma and Ziad navigate the legal system and grapple with the political complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, they form an unlikely alliance based on their shared determination and resilience.

the wanted 18

The Wanted 18 (2014): Directed by Amer Shomali and Paul Cowan, the film tells the true story of a group of Palestinians in the city of Beit Sahour during the First Intifada in the late 1980s.

The film focuses on the extraordinary attempt by the residents of Beit Sahur to establish a small local dairy as a form of non-violent resistance to the Israeli occupation. Local residents decide to purchase 18 cows and produce their own milk, circumventing Israeli control and boycotts. This grassroots effort becomes a symbol of self-reliance and defiance.

However, the Israeli army and authorities perceive the presence of cows as a threat to their security and try to stop the operation. The cows become “wanted” by the Israeli forces, leading to a cat-and-mouse chase between the residents and the military.

five broken cameras

Five Broken Cameras (2011): The 2011 film chronicles the experiences of an amateur cameraman, Palestinian farmer Emad Burnat, as he documents the nonviolent resistance movement in the West Bank village of Bil’in.

The film’s title refers to the five cameras Burnat had over the years, each of which was damaged or destroyed during clashes with Israeli forces. The cameras function as both literal and metaphorical representations of the struggle and resistance facing Palestinian society.

The film recounts firsthand the peaceful protests against the Israeli separation wall built on Bil’in’s farmland, often resulting in clashes between villagers and Israeli soldiers. Through Burnat’s lens, viewers witness the resilience and determination of the villagers, their struggle, the loss of life, and the impact of the ongoing conflict on their daily lives.

the Guardians

The Guardians (2012): Directed by Dror Moreh, the 2012 documentary film features interviews with six former presidents who worked at the Shin Bet, Israel’s intelligence agency, from the late 1980s to the early 2010s.

The documentary examines the complexities and moral dilemmas faced by these intelligence officers working to protect Israel’s security and combat terrorism. Through their firsthand accounts and thoughts, the film offers a behind-the-scenes look at the decisions, strategies, and challenges they face in managing conflict.

The documentary explores various aspects of the conflict, including the use of targeted killings, intelligence gathering, and the ongoing cycle of violence. It asks questions about the effectiveness and long-term consequences of certain policies and provides insight into internal debates and divisions within the Israeli security service.