Barely entered the mainstream, perhaps. The Palestinian point of view will not sink in easily.

Thank you for this article.

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I am not Palestinian nor Muslim.

I am a priveleged USA Christain embarking on her third trip-beginning 3/11/06 into
Israel Palestine within the last 9 months to
WITNESS and REPORT the true facts on the ground.

Trip two is documented 12/21/05-1/06/06 WAWA BLOG:
http://www.wearewideawake.org

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It is imperative that we the people of the world get a balanced view of the conflicts between Israel and Palestine. God knows, the media doesn't give it to us. It is a joy to know that we can view a movie and read some books that are put out by Palestinians. Sure they have been there all the while, but did we know?? So thank you for enlightening us. "We the People", want and crave, fairness and balance. And most of all, the TRUTH, so that WE can decide for ourselves, and not what we are TOLD to believe.

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Everyone has a right to an opinion. Everyone has the right to make a film, write a book, an article or make a speech about whatever they want. I understand that film and other art forms many times come with a point of view. One should be open to another's viewpoint. However, in viewing the context (and I have not seen the film - although I plan to) one must also be cognizant of history and fact. If we start with the view, expressed by the moviemaker that there should be no Jewish State-- then we may be able to appreciate the viewpoint expressed in the film (at least according to the article). It is the view expressed by Hamas and the original Constitutional point of the PLO that Israel has no right to exist. If we lived in a perfect World where people with differing religious views respected the rights of the other to their religious view and there had been no pogroms and treatment of Jews as second and third class citizens in Christian and Muslim nations, perhaps there would be no need for an Israel. Unfortunately, that is not the case and has not been the case. The World is not ideal. Is it something to strive for? Of course. But, why the concentration on Israel? It is the tiniest sliver of land. It has approximately 5.5 million Jews. A Billion or so Arabs and Muslims surround it. Jews who lived their for centuries and others forced to Israel as a safe haven have determined that they will no longer sit still -- be quiet and suffer humiliation, torture and death. Respectfully, it appears that when a Jew stands up and defends from attack (as Israeli Jews have been forced to do time and again after 1948) that the World becomes critical of "a Jewish State". Where is the critical look at Muslim States where a Jew or Christian for that matter had no rights-- was terribly discriminated against and treated with disdain? Where is the critical look at Suicide Bombers that target innocent School children or Bar Mitzvah celebrations? Where is the criticism of Muslim countries that first encouraged their fellow Muslims to leave their homes in Israel in 1948 by telling them that they would wipe Israel off the face of the Earth in a matter of weeks? When they did not, the same Muslim countries left their fellow Muslims and Arabs as refugees. Where is that story told? Who is responsible for the failure of the Arab refugee community (left so by Arab Nations) to make a life and proper economy for themselves? The PLO received Millions and Billions in aid. Instead of using the monies for the betterment of the people, the PLO (Arafat in particular) stole the money. Where is that story? Perhaps the moviemaker has enough material for another film with a balance as to the cause of the refugee's poverty. Never in history have a people been kept in such condition by their own people. The Israeli's began on the same land. Yes, they received aid. However, the Israelis used that aid to better the life of the people--To develop industry, agriculture and make the Desert green. The "Palestinian people" had the same opportunity. Respectfully, do not blame the Jews for the transgressions of Jordan and of the so-called leaders of the Palestinians for the poverty and problems they endure. Before the declaration of the intifada, the refugees traveled freely about Israel. They depended upon Israel for their well-being. They certainly could not depend on their brothers. But, do not expect Israel to stop checkpoints and to protect itself when the only thing that the Palestinian leaders use to unite the people is the cry for the death of the "Jewish State". Respectfully, the murder of school children does not open doors.

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I am Jewish, but I happen to agree that the Palestinians need to have their own state. However I hope no one forgets that the Israeli occupation of the West Bank exists for a reason. It didn't come about because of land greed, or the desire to get rid of all Palestinians. I remark that the Arabs have been screaming and shouting about driving the Jews into the sea for almost 60 yrs.
They were also launching attacks against the Jewish state LONG BEFORE the Israeli Occupation began. Which is why it began in the first place.
Lest we forget, lest we forget.

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So he can't call himself an Israeli because it's a Jewish State and he's not Jewish. Then what's a Christian or Jew in Saudi Arabia, a Muslim state, to do. Oh, excuse me, there are none there. There are almost no Christians left in Palestine because they are being chased out by Muslims. And of course the Palestinians don't want a single Jew living there either. Funny how no one ever objects to that. Every Muslim country makes their religion a stated part of their government, but that's okay. And you dare talk about balance?

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I know this is a place for people to voice their opinions and I respect that.

It seems that some who have posted on this have missed the point entirely and that is that this film maker has the right to express himself in film without backlash. Hany Abu-Assad has the right to tell a story not heard before and has a right to be from Palestine and a Palestinian.

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In the USA I’m called a fucking Jew, In Israel I’m called a fucking American, to My Family I don’t exist. I’m AlienSlave just passing through.
AlienSlave

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A Jewish state is NOT a democracy, it is a THEOCRACY. A Jewish state and a democracy cannot exist in the same context without ethnically cleansing the non Jewish people from within the state. Israel can be one, or the other, but not both.

The occupation of Palestine including the West Bank beyond the Green Line established by International law is a crime of the greatest magnitude. When Isreal complies with UN resolutions 242 and 338, then and only then will there ever be peace. The very reason the message in "My Name is Rachel Corrie" is being politically crushed (censored), as this wonderful film is being attacked (censored), is to hide the truth of the illegal and brutal occupation and continued confiscation of land and water by the Israeli military machine funded by the US government.

I hope someday the United States will align itself with peace, justice, and UN Resolutions and stop funding the immoral and illegal occupation of the Palestinian people. Until then, the sad events witnessed everyday on both sides of this issue will continue.

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I'm also grateful for this piece; I look forward to seeing the movie, as I look forward to reading Gate of the Sun. We need to build a tradition of "representations" of Palestine and Palestinians that do justice to their experience and avoid the insulting simplifications of the media. Bring on richer narratives, visual and print, just as has happened with women, African Americans, and other underrepresented groups.

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