This film quite obviously reflects the Palestinian side of the Palestinian- Israeli conflict, but this was refreshing because we rarely get that perspective in our regular news coverage, as the film stresses. In “Peace, Propaganda and the Promised Land” we are finally given the opposing view, which focuses on the errors on the part of the Israelis. Since this is my first class on the Middle East and I have been exposed to American media my entire life, I do not have much of a background on this side of the conflict except from some discussions with other students majoring in history at Mville who have studied this subject. Last semester I attended a lecture by Omer S. Bajwa of Yale University, which was organized by the Muslim Student Association and focused on the media’s influence on the public’s perception of Islam and Muslims. Though the lecture was on a broader topic, Bajwa discussed the slanted portrayal of Muslims in the media and the typical misunderstanding of Americans of Middle Eastern history, analyzing the typical language and images we have come to associate with Islam and terrorism. Bajwa gave various examples of Muslims being shown at fault and as violent aggressors, and I immediately called to mind his problems with the media when watching the film.
The different specialists and commentators in the film discussed the multi-faceted factors in America’s involvement and news coverage of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. These different points were interesting, and mostly involved deconstructing the pro- Israeli themes in the media, asking “Does the news coverage reflect the situation on the ground?” in the beginning of the film. Particularly interesting was the use of language in the ‘P.R.’ campaign (for example, constantly stating that Israel is retaliating against Palestinian militants instead of discussing its role as the occupier), the pressure put on American journalists who question the occupation, and the fact that Israel has been accused of war crimes and is in violation of the Geneva Convention. Obviously this is not a cut and dry issue, since Palestinians have committed acts of violence, but the film’s attempt at questioning the objectivity of our journalists was certainly thought provoking and should lead to more well rounded discussions of the conflict (in our class, hopefully). I would be curious to find news websites that further present the Palestinian side of this issue; I sadly do not have much more to offer at the moment on the topic.
It's not for the American governmnet interest to enlight it citiezns with what is happening of the rest of the world, how people get killed with American weapons, they never thought, one day the Americans as a nation, would realize that there is a reason for that hate that coming for the Arabs and Muslims, Media in America as the movie shows, is not even media anymore, when the idea of media was created, the first rule of it was freedom of speech and honesty, you promise to deliever the news, as it is, to show what is actually happening, but to lie even on the news is something that the American media should be ashamed of, and do something about it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that it was refreshing to hear the other side of the story. You need to hear both sides of the story in order to find out the truth, but I still feel they did more to tempt the Israelis to attack them.
ReplyDeleteI think that if we see a biased film then we should watch another film, from the bias of the other side. I understand its hard to produce an unbiased project and that certainly the producer would favor one side or the other but for people who have never heard of the conflicts and only get to see that video it would seriously distort their view of the situation.
ReplyDeleteThe American news does not show the crisis going on in the Middle East. The Americans also do not realize that the people that are getting killed in the Middle East are being killed with American made weapons. We also do not take notice in the conflict in the Middle East. I agree with you and I think we should take more notice on what goes on in the Middle East and with our great prosperous nation we could give them our help.
ReplyDeleteHearing both sides of the story is critical in understanding any conflict. Perhaps if the two sides fighting would take the time to hear each others feelings and ideas they would come to some sort of peace. We are all inhabitants of the earth, their for all nations should be engaging in dialogue and resolving any and all disputes in the world.
ReplyDeleteI was the same way. Living as a American citizen, I did not have much of a view on the Palestinian side of the conflict. This documentary definitely increased my understandings of both sides of the conflict and raised my awareness.
ReplyDeletealoosh- this is true, but the omission of certain facts is more accurate (I believe) because they simply emphasis the Israeli side and leave out Palestinian suffering. Part of what we learned in the documentary suggests this is part of the Israeli 'P.R. Campaign.'
ReplyDeleteSablej- I do not agree with you because the Palestinians are subjected to oppression, live in terrible circumstances and are not given full citizenship under the occupation. This certainly does not excuse violence, but they are reacting to their situation, and Israelis are defending their power as well as their citizens.
Keith Simmons- This is true that it was really one sided, but the purpose was to dispel some ideas we have as Americans. It would be helpful in the future to include a novel or documentary with the Israeli perspective.
Danny- this is true, but I feel that part of the problem is American involvement. The U.S. does not really have the greatest intentions when it 'helps' a nation because it has its own agenda, it wishes to preserve a balance in power and has economic concerns and that makes sense since a state has to protect its interests. American involvement has allowed the situation to continue since, as you said, we are supplying Israel with weapons.
Meiere- this is a very nice sentiment and the two men that visited Mville representing both sides suggested a two state solution that will be based on equality. Hopefully this will be possible in the near future.
TayFawcett-the film's strong message was helpful in questioning our understanding as Americans but we need to remember it was a bit one sided