“The point is that when we speak of narratives, legitimacy may not come from fact but from belief. We do not believe in the narratives because they are true; they are true because we believe in them. Sometimes these narratives fit well together, and sometimes they clash. When we speak of the land called Israel or Palestine, we seem to only speak of clash.”
Omer M. Mozaffar – Palestinian Journalist - July 22, 2014
Understanding the Israeli-Palestinian situation -- with its attendant issues of violence and repression, justice and fairness, peace and security, separating biblical Israel from the modern state of Israel, competing historical narratives, long-held myths and beliefs – is complex, difficult, and emotional. Especially now, when not a week goes by without a news headline generating confusion, controversy, and conflict. The topic of the Israeli-Palestinian “conflict” is a difficult conversation for most Americans to have, even for those who are informed and dispassionate. Most Americans are insufficiently informed and are conflicted on what to believe. Mainstream media, it is apparent, does not do a good job of presenting fully and fairly all sides of the issue; there is more “repeating” of the loudest voice than “reporting.” Lost in all of this cacophony are the voices of the people living in the Holy Land.
Voices From the Holy Land Film Series seeks to offer a different perspective. It seeks to provide a voice to the people living in this Holy Land. It seeks to present informative and compelling documentary films by Israeli, Palestinian, American, and European film makers to start conversations. Through these films and associated discussions, we hope to inform the audience that:
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Israel-Palestine history is often misunderstood
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Life under occupation is difficult and unfair
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Issues of justice and human-rights in Israel-Palestine are in the same continuum of the Civil-Rights struggles in our own country
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Many Israelis know and understand that continued occupation is not the solution
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Small groups of Israelis and Palestinians are coming together to promote peaceful solutions
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US policies and US media have affected our understanding of the current “conflict”
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There still reason to hope
Voices From the Holy Land Film Series is sponsored and supported by a coalition of interfaith (Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Unitarian) and interdenominational organizations nationwide whose members feel called by their faith to work for justice, human rights, and peace in the land that is holy to all three Abrahamic faiths.
Supporter Organizations:
♦ Palestine Justice Network (PCUSA) ♦ Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace ♦ Quaker Palestine Israel Network ♦ Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East♦ Indiana Center for Middle East Peace ♦ Disciples of Christ Palestine-Israel Network ♦ Virginia Coalition for Human Rights ♦ Jewish Voice for Peace - San Diego ♦ Mennonite Palestine Israel Network ♦ Friends of Sabeel North America ♦ Episcopal Peace Fellowship Palestine Justice Network ♦ Northern New Jersey Jewish Voice for Peace ♦ United Church of Christ Palestine Israel Network ♦ Pace e Bene ♦ US Lutheran Palestine Israel Caucus ♦ Churches for Middle East Peace ♦ Pax Christi USA ♦
Online Film Salon Co-Sponsors:
Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East ♦ Richmonders for Peace in Israel-Palestine ♦ Episcopal Peace Fellowship – Palestine Justice Network ♦ St. Louis Friends of Bethlehem ♦ Westmoreland United Church of Christ ♦ United Church of Christ Central Atlantic Conference – Palestine Israel Network ♦ Churches for Middle East Peace ♦ Bright Stars of Bethlehem ♦ Citizens for Justice in the Middle East ♦ Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace ♦ WRITE! ♦ US Lutheran Palestine Israel Caucus ♦ Christ The King Lutheran Church ♦ American Muslims for Palestine ♦ American Friends Service Committee ♦ Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help ♦ Arab America ♦ Bethlehem Cultural Festival ♦ Independent Jewish Voices – Canada ♦ Friends of Sabeel North America ♦ USA Palestine Mental Health Network ♦ Palestine–Global Mental Health Network ♦ Consequence Forum ♦ Nonviolence International ♦ Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom – St. Louis ♦ Quaker Palestine–Israel Network ♦ Green Mountain Solidarity with Palestine ♦ Virginia Coalition for Human Rights ♦ Indiana Center for Middle East Peace ♦ United Church of Christ – Palestine Israel Network ♦ Just Vision Films ♦ United Methodist Kairos Response/Methodist Federation for Social Action ♦ Jewish Voice for Peace – Chicago ♦ Tzedek Chicago ♦ Pace e Bene ♦ Pax Christi USA ♦ Washington Report on Middle East Affairs ♦ If Not Now ♦ US Campaign for Palestinian Rights ♦ Veterans for Peace ♦ Kehilla Synagogue – Middle East Peace Committee ♦ Freedom Flotilla Coalition ♦ Council on American-Islamic Relations ♦ Disciples – Palestine Israel Network ♦ Northern New Jersey Jewish Voice for Peace ♦ Massachusetts Peace Action ♦ Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East ♦ Progressive Workers Union ♦ Alliance for Water Justice in Palestine ♦ We Are Not Numbers ♦ Arab American Institute ♦ Defense for Children International – Palestine ♦ Palestinian American Research Center ♦ Just Faith St. Louis ♦ Defending Rights & Dissent ♦ Rachel Corrie Foundation ♦ If Americans Knew ♦ Jewish Voice for Peace – Boston ♦ Hindus for Human Rights