Promises: Part of the Meretz USA 2007 Film Series
On Monday, September 24th, 2007, Meretz USA screened Promises, the story of seven Israeli and Palestinian children from a Palestinian refugee camp, from an Israeli settlement, and from Jerusalem. The documentary, the creation of directors B.Z. Goldberg, Justine Shapiro, and Carlos Bolado, follows these children’s lives over several years in the late 1990s – a time when prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace seemed possible – and reveals both their feelings about “the other” and about the conflict. Although each child expresses wariness about meeting their Israeli or Palestinian counterparts, several of them are eventually caught up by their curiosity. Two Israeli twins, Yarko and Daniel, end up traveling to the Jenin Refugee Camp, where they laugh and play with their new Palestinian friends.
Despite this “promising” scene, the film ends on a down note. After their day of fun with the Israelis, Palestinian youth Faraj astutely observes that after B.Z., who has been interviewing the children and who has cultivated a relationship with them, leaves, there will be nothing to keep him and the other Palestinians connected with the Israeli twins. He proves correct. When, B.Z. returns to interview the children two years later, Yarko and Daniel explain that they have lost touch with Palestinians from Jenin: although they want peace to come, they have more immediate things – like volleyball – on their minds.
The screening was followed by a discussion with Professor Emeritus at Farleigh Dickinson Dr. Leonard Grob, Meretz USA Executive Committee member and JANIP Co-chair. Dr. Grob emphasized the timeless nature of the film. Although the film is, in some ways, outdated – it was filmed more than 10 years ago – it is still relevant today. The feelings of mistrust and apprehension expressed by the children on both sides, are still relevant today – perhaps even more so in the wake of the second Intifada.
And referring to the title “Promises,” Dr. Grob discussed the fact that the film shows, in many scenes, Israeli and Palestinian children connecting on a human level: the promise of what could be.
Despite this “promising” scene, the film ends on a down note. After their day of fun with the Israelis, Palestinian youth Faraj astutely observes that after B.Z., who has been interviewing the children and who has cultivated a relationship with them, leaves, there will be nothing to keep him and the other Palestinians connected with the Israeli twins. He proves correct. When, B.Z. returns to interview the children two years later, Yarko and Daniel explain that they have lost touch with Palestinians from Jenin: although they want peace to come, they have more immediate things – like volleyball – on their minds.
The screening was followed by a discussion with Professor Emeritus at Farleigh Dickinson Dr. Leonard Grob, Meretz USA Executive Committee member and JANIP Co-chair. Dr. Grob emphasized the timeless nature of the film. Although the film is, in some ways, outdated – it was filmed more than 10 years ago – it is still relevant today. The feelings of mistrust and apprehension expressed by the children on both sides, are still relevant today – perhaps even more so in the wake of the second Intifada.
And referring to the title “Promises,” Dr. Grob discussed the fact that the film shows, in many scenes, Israeli and Palestinian children connecting on a human level: the promise of what could be.