ia_2011_b_carter

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is at the core of my study. The nature of this conflict can be taken back as far as 135 AD when the Jews were expelled out of Jerusalem. Ever since then “the Jews have repeatedly been directly or indirectly expelled from both their original homeland and the areas in which they have resided" [1].

However, my study focuses on the period starting from the mid-20th century onwards. Following the tragedy of the Holocaust, political Zionism became eminent and a ‘home’ for the Jews became an inevitable answer. With the help of the British, under the Balfour Declaration the state of Israel was officially formed, "His Majesty's Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people" [2]. Nevertheless, the Arab world refused the proposal and it led to a bloody Civil War. The Israelis won the 1948-49 war but it only aggravated the Palestinians and furthermore, surrounding Arab Nations.

Ever since, the conflict has been on-going; many wars have been made between Israelis, Palestinians and neighbouring countries. "Attempts to apportion responsibility for...the conduct of forces during the war, and the inability to reach a peaceful settlement in its aftermath, have resulted in controversy between traditionalist and revisionist historians in Israel, as well as disputes between Arab, Israeli and Palestinian scholars and politics." [3] Many agreements and conferences have been made to settle both sides, but it seems like peace is still a distant illusion. Today, this type of conflict has taken another level; some people are willing to die for their beliefs. This is known as suicide bombing, a form of martyrdom.

Films and documentaries have been made to grasp the conflict, and one of them is // Death in Gaza // [4]. This shocking documentary exposes some of the brutal truths about the “culture of hate” that dominates the streets of Palestine and Israel. The film’s focal point is on the lives of some Palestinian children who live in the “bullet riddled streets of Gaza.” [5] The camera follows them through their daily activities; where the boys spend time throwing rocks and homemade explosives “// quwas //” at armoured Israeli tanks.

Unfortunately, children living this situation often get caught in the crossfire and are killed. Part of the film investigates one child to whom this happens; from being taken to a medical centre, to his death, his burial and then to his parade where extremists portray his ‘heroism’ as being a martyr. James Miller the director of this documentary also features another child, Ahmed, and the relation he has with the paramilitaries. The paramilitaries are extremist groups who seek young children on their side to carry out violent operations.

The last important point about the film is the tragic death of James Miller. Miller’s death is captured on tape and can be seen near the end of the documentary [6]. The documentary incorporates Miller’s death as a big part of the film. In a way, his death is a reflection of the injustice that many Palestinian and Israeli civilians are experiencing.

[1] An article about the Jewish people in general – (anonymous) (21/10/10) [] [2] An extract from the The Balfour Declaration (signed in November 1917) a document that showed the British support for a Zionist project in Palestine. [3] Kirsten E. Schulze (2008). The Arab-Israeli conflict. Harlow, England; Pearson Longman (ISBN: 0582771897) [4] // Death in Gaza //, 2004 Directed by James Miller – //Death in Gaza// was a critically acclaimed film; it won three Emmys and one BAFTA TV award, alongside a Rory Peck Award [5] A website source with a short summary about //Death in Gaza// – (anonymous) (21/09/10) [] [6] Miller is shot by an Israeli soldier despite “wearing clothing that clearly identified him as a television journalist and shining a torch on a white flag while asking permission to pass” – (anonymous) (21/10/10) []