The Wall
This critical point-of-view documentary, by outspoken Israeli filmmaker Benny Brunner, attacks the construction of the Israeli West Bank barrier as a symptom of what ails Israel. The wall is a system, up to 100 meters wide, of barbed wire, electronic fences with sensors on it, cameras, and remotely controlled machineguns. When completed, it will be more than 600 km long and will constitute one of the most dramatic geopolitical changes in the history of the Middle East.Social Interest
For Palestinians it is the “Apartheid Wall,” Israel calls it a terror prevention barrier. As the separation fence is being built mainly on Palestinian land, it separates chiefly Palestinian villages from their sources of life. Under the pretext of fighting terrorism the Israeli government builds a wall that seems to make the Israeli control over the territories occupied in 1967 irreversible.Historic Interest
Since its inception, Israel has erected physical barriers as a means of protection against suicide-bombers and guerrilla attacks. The idea of creating a physical barrier between the Israeli and Palestinian populations was first proposed by Yitzhak Rabin in 1992, following the murder of an Israeli teenage girl in Jerusalem. As a result the Gaza Strip barrierIsraeli, was constructed in 1994 largely on the 1949 armistice line between Israel and the Gaza Strip, and has been much less controversial then the construction of the Israeli West Bank barrier.Controversy
The barrier is a very controversial project. Supporters claim the barrier is a necessary tool protecting Israeli civilians from what they see as Palestinian terrorism, including suicide bombing attacks, that increased significantly during the al-Aqsa Intifada (Second Intifada). Opponents claim the barrier is an illegal attempt to annex Palestinian land under the guise of security, violates international law, has the intent or effect to pre-empt final status negotiations, and severely restricts Palestinians who live nearby (see the documentary Concrete Curtain), particularly their ability to travel freely within the West Bank and to access work in Israel, thereby undermining their economy. To make things even more complicated some Pro-settler opponents claim that the barrier is a sly attempt to artificially create a border that excludes the settlers, creating “facts on the ground” that justify the mass dismantlement of hundreds of settlements and displacement of over 100,000 Jews from the land they claim as their biblical homeland.About the Producer
Benny Brunner is an Israeli-Dutch filmmaker based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Jewish and Israeli modern history, and inspiring individuals are the subject matters of his films. Brunner has written, directed, and produced documentary films internationally since mid-1980s. He does not believe in “objectivity” in documentary filmmaking, especially in times of conflict, when people are killed in the name of ideology. His political stand in the century old struggle between Arabs and Jews in Palestine-Israel is clearly reflected in his films.Buy the DVD
Either send us an e-mail (helpdesk@docsonline.tv) or contact Benny Brunner (Tel. + 31 20 6277859 beherenow@xs4all.nl).
For Palestinians it is the “Apartheid Wall,” Israel calls it a terror prevention barrier. As the separation fence is being built mainly on Palestinian land, it separates chiefly Palestinian villages from their sources of life. Under the pretext of fighting terrorism the Israeli government builds a wall that seems to make the Israeli control over the territories occupied in 1967 irreversible.Historic Interest
Since its inception, Israel has erected physical barriers as a means of protection against suicide-bombers and guerrilla attacks. The idea of creating a physical barrier between the Israeli and Palestinian populations was first proposed by Yitzhak Rabin in 1992, following the murder of an Israeli teenage girl in Jerusalem. As a result the Gaza Strip barrierIsraeli, was constructed in 1994 largely on the 1949 armistice line between Israel and the Gaza Strip, and has been much less controversial then the construction of the Israeli West Bank barrier.Controversy
The barrier is a very controversial project. Supporters claim the barrier is a necessary tool protecting Israeli civilians from what they see as Palestinian terrorism, including suicide bombing attacks, that increased significantly during the al-Aqsa Intifada (Second Intifada). Opponents claim the barrier is an illegal attempt to annex Palestinian land under the guise of security, violates international law, has the intent or effect to pre-empt final status negotiations, and severely restricts Palestinians who live nearby (see the documentary Concrete Curtain), particularly their ability to travel freely within the West Bank and to access work in Israel, thereby undermining their economy. To make things even more complicated some Pro-settler opponents claim that the barrier is a sly attempt to artificially create a border that excludes the settlers, creating “facts on the ground” that justify the mass dismantlement of hundreds of settlements and displacement of over 100,000 Jews from the land they claim as their biblical homeland.About the Producer
Benny Brunner is an Israeli-Dutch filmmaker based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Jewish and Israeli modern history, and inspiring individuals are the subject matters of his films. Brunner has written, directed, and produced documentary films internationally since mid-1980s. He does not believe in “objectivity” in documentary filmmaking, especially in times of conflict, when people are killed in the name of ideology. His political stand in the century old struggle between Arabs and Jews in Palestine-Israel is clearly reflected in his films.Buy the DVD
Either send us an e-mail (helpdesk@docsonline.tv) or contact Benny Brunner (Tel. + 31 20 6277859 beherenow@xs4all.nl).
Scenes
- The map of Israel, the Westbank and the wall
- The map of Israel and the Westbank, with the Green Line and the Separation Barrier visible.
- Introduction to the Separation Barrier built by Israel
- Neazh Mashiah is the director of the Separation Barrier Project. His work consists of building and protecting the wall to separate Israel and the West bank.
- Amira Hass and Palestinian teacher talk about the separation barrier while Palestinian teenage boys are trying to annoy Israeli soldiers.
- This clip shows the Qalandiya refugee camp, surrounded by the Separation Barrier. Teenage boys are trying to wreak the barrier and throwing stones in order to annoy the Israeli soldiers. According to a Palestinian teacher, the boys are doing this every day. She’s talking to Amira Hass, a critical Israeli Journalist who lives in Palestinian territories. The teacher tells that she lost a lot of her own land because the barrier was build on Palestinian land. Hass states that this losing of land has happened a lot to Palestinians living close to the barrier. She compares it to the South African apartheid. According to her, this is why a lot of Palestinians commit suicide.
- Israeli photographer Kratsman about his pictures of Palestinians
- Miki Kratsman is an Israeli photographer who has made pictures of the occupied territories since 1986. He tells a story about a Palestinian family being attacked by Israeli soldiers, as he’s showing the pictures.
- Hanegbi, an Israeli political activist talks about the repression of the Palestinians by the Israelis
- Haim Hanegbi, an Israeli political activist is showing the difference between the Israeli Har Homa settlement, and a plot of land next to it where a Palestinian family lives. His heart goes out to this Palestinian family he visits, who are trapped by the Separation Barrier.
- Israeli journalist Michael about the origin of the separation barrier
- According to critical Israeli journalist B. Michael, the idea of the Separation Barrier was a genuine wellmeant idea by the Israeli political left, to secure both sides from being attacked. By then, the political right was against the idea of separation. But Michael states that when Sharon became head of Israel he changed the idea of the separation barrier into something grotesque and unfair.
- Israeli political activist and journalist criticizes the settlement activities by the Israeli government
- The Israeli political activist Haim Hanegbi states that the Israeli covernment’s actions like the settlement activities don’t correspond with the things the covernment is saying. Even after the Oslo accords in 1993 the amount of Israeli settlements have been doubled. According to the journalist Amira Hass, the Israeli settlements are all connected by an infrastructural road network, in contrast with Palestinian settlements. Ironically, during the interview with the journalist, nearby Israeli soldiers are shooting.
- Journalist Rappaport talks is vitising the checkpoint near Qalandiya
- In this clip the journalist Meron Rappaport walks past the Israeli checkpoint of Qalandiya where all the Palestinian citizens have to enter and leave the city. Rappaport is worried about the next generation of Palestinians, he’s afraid they will grow up to only see Israeli people as enemies, as soldiers with a gun. He also says Israel doesn’t treat Palestinians as human beings.
- Map of Jerusalem
- This fragment shows the map of Jerusalem, the Green Line and the Separation Barrier. The map shows that the separation barrier is including most of Jerusalem to the Israeli site.
- Separation fence in Jerusalem: opinions by Seidemann and a local taxidriver
- Daniel Seidemann, an Israeli lawyer is specialized in frontier conflicts at Israeli-Palestinian borders in Jerusalem. He claims that the Separation Barrier in Jerusalem doesn’t separate Israelis and Palestinians, but Palestinians and other Palestinians as it cuts through Palestinian territory only. Later on, a Palestinian taxidriver explains his situation as a Jerusalem citizen. Furthermore, Seidemann explains why he thinks the separation barrier is ironically diminishing the security for Israel.
- The situation at Qalandiya check point
- This fragment shows the situation at the Qalandiya check point, the only place where Palestinian residents can enter or leave the city area. We see an Israeli soldier argue with a Palestinian resident about documents.
- Director of Separation Barrier Project about the location of the fence
- The director of the Separation Barrier Project tries to explain why the fence is being built on the locations within the Palestinian territory. Those certain locations were chosen by the Israeli army in order to be able to defend Israel to the fullest, and has noting to do with the Green Line.
- Columnist Michael about the Israeli army
- The Israeli columnist B.Michael gives his opinion on the Israeli army, according to him the army is very narrow minded. He compares the state of Israel to a military regime.
- Director of the Separation Barrier Project talks about the costs
- The director of the Separation BarrierProject estimates the costs of the barrier on two milion U.S. dollars for every kilometre. He says that economists have calculated that the costs will be compensated within a couple of months.
- Journalist Hass about te Israeli expansion urge
- According to Israeli journalist Amira Hass, Israel has an expansion ideology and is therefore harassing Palestinian people. The closing in is the newest way of harassment what started in 1991. During the interview with Hass, Israeli soldiers are patroulling the fence while Palestinian boys are throwing rocks at them.
Likes: 0
Viewed: 1