BBC 2 has a new documentary by Norma Percy called Israel and the Palestinians: The Road to 7th October. It uses original footage and interviews with the people central to events in Israel, Palestine and the US. It is certainly not a polarising documentary and I think it should bring people who hold strong views closer together than further apart. I've watched the first two parts of three and it has deepened my understanding of this extremely complex situation. I thoroughly recommend it. I've posted in news and politics because I think it's so appropriate to what is happening now and tbh it is far from being entertaining but it is IMO essential viewing for anyone who wants to try to understand this conflict from both sides.
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Do you want a better understanding of what led up to 7/10 in Gaza
(31 Posts)I have started to watch it
You’re very brave foxie48so many posters think this is a one sided war.
I will watch but I really struggle seeing people killing each other.
Nothing can justify or explain what happened on 7 October.
Nothing can justify or explain the extent of the Israeli reaction.
As Monica says, nothing can justify the attack or the atrocities committed. The people attending the music festival were mainly visitors to the country.
However, I do find it hard to believe that Israeli security had no inkling that something was planned. It would have been very satisfying if they had planted soldiers among the settlers and ambushed the invaders and slaughtered the lot.
It is an extremely convoluted situation.
Like M0nica I am in the 7th October was inexcusable camp, but I also feel that Israel has gone too far.
I did see a piece on UTube where Israel had bombed a location on Eid (Sunday 30/03) and very brave Palestinian children and teenagers were distraught and blaming Hamas for hiding amongst them?
M0nica
Nothing can justify or explain what happened on 7 October.
Nothing can justify or explain the extent of the Israeli reaction.
Not trying to justify or explain Monica, not even taking up a position of supporting one side or another, just saying it's helped me gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of the situation which tbh is I think all anyone can do.
Reading the replies, pass
IMO the reaction on both sides can be explained but not justified.
It's beyond me how people can add to a hideous and hate filled situation by displaying more of the same.
It's hearbreaking. There but for the grace of God go I ( and my family)
Yes, I think that its an approach that could help, if only people would listen.
In a “normal” uprising or unrest there is a winner and a looser it’s not like that in Gaza because Hamas are holding the whole population to ransom, just like the Israeli hostages.
They have no regard to how many Palestinians die they are martyrs to the cause, the first stage to a solution is for Hamas to leave Gaza.
I was watching Jeremy Bowen commenting about Gaza on Sunday his conclusion was there is plenty of money from the Arab states to rebuild Gaza maybe even Trumps “Riviera” and make it a thriving community, nothing is going to happen until peace is restored
Have you watched the documentaries David49?
IMO the reaction on both sides can be explained but not justified I agree growstuff.
growstuff
Have you watched the documentaries David49?
I understand the issues the Palestinians have, and the fact that they don’t want to live alongside the Israelis, attitudes need to change on both sides - are they?.
There is going to be no long term solution until, Palestinians and Israelis agree to live alongside each other without fighting.
David49
growstuff
Have you watched the documentaries David49?
I understand the issues the Palestinians have, and the fact that they don’t want to live alongside the Israelis, attitudes need to change on both sides - are they?.
There is going to be no long term solution until, Palestinians and Israelis agree to live alongside each other without fighting.
Indeed! Attitudes do need to change on both sides. Negotiations cannot succeed when protagonists have such entrenched beliefs and don't actually want peace.
Nothing 'explains' rape and murder of inncosent people on this scale, nor the kidnappings that took place on 7th October.
Nothing explains the gross over reaction by the other side.
I haven't clicked on the link but I am a student of history and do know a lot, though obviously, not everything, about the history of the animosity been jew and palestinian.
The documentaries change nothing while the Palestinians attack Israel there will be no peace.
If, and it is a big IF Hamas leaves Gaza and a peaceful civilian government capable of ensuring security is established Gaza will be rebuilt.
We are a long way from that at present.
But the documentaries are reaching out to the public David as well as protagonists to better understand the conflict, which is much needed.
People who don't know the complex history tend to jump to conclusions in terms of how they perceive the last two years. That means our own government too and other "players" in the situation.
I think you're missing the point about the documentaries David49. They're not intended as propaganda, but to inform, as all good documentaries should. I've watched two of them and I feel better informed about the history of the conflict, even though I thought I was fairly well informed.
Maybe you think people shouldn't try to find out about the background to their opinions - or maybe you think people shouldn't have any opinions at all.
Have you ever considered how your own opinions have been formed? What have been the sources at the root of your own opinions? Were they biased? Have you considered other points of view?
At the worst, people will pick and choose the bits from the documentaries which reinforce their own entrenched opinions. At best, people might actually try to be more objective. Without objectivity and a willingness to seek compromise and peace, there will never be an end to the conflict.
David49
The documentaries change nothing while the Palestinians attack Israel there will be no peace.
If, and it is a big IF Hamas leaves Gaza and a peaceful civilian government capable of ensuring security is established Gaza will be rebuilt.
We are a long way from that at present.
And you think somebody has a magic wand which can achieve that?
Or even a few magic bombs.
Growstuff I also thought I was pretty well informed, I watched the previous series that Norma Percy did which was on PBS and IMO was also excellent. How she is able to get so many key figures talking openly about what has been discussed "behind the scenes" is amazing and what they say is really illuminating.
I started the thread because I thought there might be people who were interested tbh it is of no interest to me if anyone would prefer to discredit or discuss something they can't even be bothered to watch. I wouldn't value a literary review by someone who hasn't read the book in question either!
With regard to the documentary, for me it helped to clarify some of the issues surrounding the election in 2006 and also the difficult situation that Mohammed Abbas found himself in having lost control of Gaza to Hamas. I shall watch the final episode this evening. It's a great pity that Trump isn't better informed if he were, he might appreciate why his plan to turn Gaza into a beach resort is nothing short of complete lunacy. He has more chance of building a holiday resort on the moon.
I found that interesting, too foxie. I hadn't realised that Hamas hadn't been expected to win. It's a great shame that there wasn't more support for Abbas in stopping the settlements in the West Bank. On the contrary, Netanyahu has supported settlements and has increased the funding to protect the settlers by a massive amount. He has undermined Abbas' authority, which has increased the legitimacy for Hamas in Palestinian eyes.
How can anyone understand genocide. Changed the opinion I had for Israel, they have put themselves above the Law of God. It will come back on them.
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