Ironically enough, amid the bloodshed taking place in the Middle East as Arabs and Israelis again engage in a vicious conflict that has innocent civilians paying the price, we watched a movie about tolerance. The Syrian Bride, born from the joint efforts of Israeli and Palestinian movie makers, depicts the strife of the Druze community living in the occupied Golan Heights. Recognized neither by Israel nor Syria as citizens, the Druze carry an "identified" citizenship. The movie revolves around a Druze woman on her wedding day. Her conundrum is that she is engaged to Syrian who lives on the other side of the fence, thereby mandating a wedding on the border between Israel and Syria and the loss of her ability to return to the Golan. Getting the proper exist visa and finally reuniting with her husband proves a nightmare, as both Israeli and Syrian officials employ tedious bureaucratic snafus that highlight the harsh reality this community endures on a daily basis.
The movie is filled with great scenery, engaging conversations and an extremely compelling storyline. It sheds light on the Syrian Druze plight, which, for some reason, is neglected by the mainstream media. We chose the film because somewhere deep inside, we hope Arabs and Israelis can peaceably coexist one day. This beautiful movie was one small-scale product of such a peaceable coexistence. Looking at the latest developments in Lebanon, though, such coexistence seems highly unlikely. The civilian death toll in Lebanon so far is 212; Israel: 12 (Source: From Beirut to the Beltway). At this point coexistence seems far fetched. Perhaps joint movie production is as far as we can get at this point. What a sad reality!
“Coexistence is possible.”
If this is truly possible, the Jews would have accepted Edward Said’s solution to the conflict which in my opnion is the only real solution for a lasting just peace, that solution for those that don’t know is One bi-national state.
Unfortunatly, the Israelis (that is Jewish Israelis) want a different kind of Peace. They want a peace where they are superior to all their neighbors and treat them like crap and humiliate them and make them understand that they are powerful enough to wipe them off the map of the earth. Thats the only kind of peace the Israelis are interested in.
And to the comment before last that said co-existance is possible only with the absence of terrorism, you are absoulotely right. As soon as the terrorist state of Israel stops its barbaric terrorism against the Palestinians and the Lebanese, then we can talk about coexistance.
Peace
Joji,
Thanks for validating my info, however, you say “Coexistence is possible in the absence of suicide bombings and other forms of terrorism.” Give me a break! Let’s get of this “terrorism” talk which has become a convenient excuse for Israel to destroy everything that dares to stand up and speak out against its unjust policies.
Even if we leave the plight of the Palestinians aside, go back to just one of the reasons that the people of the Middle East are not ready to believe Israel and its governments’ call for peace and acceptance: Israel’s deplorable treatment of its own non-Jewish citizens who are treated as second-class individuals.
I go back to my original point, if Israel wants peace and acceptance, it needs to start on the inside and stop the hypocrisy. It is a racist state that is built on the misery of others. Until that changes, coexistence will be tense, at the very best.
Regards.
The relationship between the Druze and Israel is not the same throughout the country. The Druze in Madjel Shams, near the Lebanese border (where the movie was set) do not have any great love for Israel. But the Druze in other areas, like Dalit al-Carmel closer to Haifa, are very loyal to Israel and even serve in the Israeli army.
The second person to comment on this thread was right. About 20% of Israeli citizens are Arabs, and get along well with the Jewish Israelis. Coexistence is possible in the absence of suicide bombings and other forms of terrorism.
Mike
No Justice and Only Justice is not a new release, its quite old, maybe 20 odd years but very good book and a powerful message. It addresses the issue of liberation theology, it really answers some of the misguided Christians in the world that think God is a real estate agent and gave the land to the Jews. Very very good book. I believe you can get it through Amazon.com. You’ll find it at some libraries as well probably.
Peace
Peace:
I’ve been very busy, too, working two jobs.
Thanks for the info. Is “Justice and only Justice” a new release?
I review books, so something new and on the hottest international story would be smart timing.
Thanks again,
Mike
Habileh,
Go learn English; specifically, go learn the difference between the “B” and the “P.” You probabably would say: ” ScooPy, the BeoBle want some BeBsi.”
Your most recent comment is so pathetic. No matter how hard I try, I can make no sense out of it. Remember what I told you: “If you have something intelligent to say, please do write back, otherwise, ir7amnee min habalak.”
Enough. Go away. Don’t want to hear from you anymore. You make me question if there is any hope left for the Arabic peoples.
Allah ma3ak. Salam.
Scoopy, it does not matter what you say and what you pretend to mean when you insert a sentence that undermines all you other arguments. i could care less if you write the most moving romantic letter if somewhere in the middle you say sonething like “and don’t belive anything i say”
You’ve got to see this
http://gr33ndata.blogspot.com/2006/07/from-israel-to-lebanon.html
Mike
Sorry I’ve been a bit busy but I owe it to you to provide some names and website. The one website I encourage you to look at is http://www.sabeel.com Also the director of Sabeel has written a book called Justice and only Justice, great book, authoer is Rev. Naeem Ateek.
Other books also include “Blood Brothers” and “We Belong to the Land” by father Elias Chacour.
Additionally you can read any writings by the most prominant Arab-American, the late Dr. Edward Saeed.
Read Hanan Ashrawis writings. Also you can google some information about Fahed Abu Akel, he was the president of the Persbyterian Church in the USA for one term.
Additionally you can google Father Labib Kobti, a catholic Arab-American priest.
Ofcourse I think its worth it to pay a visit to http://www.adc.org and http://www.aaiusa.org two organisation that provide the Arab-American perspective.
hope this helps for now, I’ll try to provide more as I’ve been a bit busy lately.
Peace
Bala Habal,
Ya habileh, you are so ignorant (or maybe your reading-comprehension skills are so awful) that I am not sure I should dignify your latest post with an answer.
You left my long post above and chose to comment about what I said regarding peaceful existence? Do you just enjoy arguing with people? I threw so much stuff back in your face and put you in your place, and this is the best you can come up with. Instead of realizing that I am on your side and apologize for attacking me, you want to argue some more?
Nonetheless, look up the meaning of the word peace: the state prevailing during the absence of war. There is no “war” between Arabs and non-Arabs in “The State of Israel,” that’s why I said that they coexist, peacefully, FOR THE MOST PART. That does not mean that the way they are treated is right; read further as to I said, “… it may not be equal…”
So, again, for slow people like you out there, I said more than once that Arab-Israelis are not being treated equally. THE WHOLE FRICKIN’ POINT FROM MY POST WAS TO POINT OUT THE HYPOCRACY THAT IS THE STATE OF ISRAEL. Go back to grammar school you idiot, even better, take a course in reading-comprehension.
If you have something intelligent to say, please do write back, otherwise, ir7amnee min habalak.
Allah yehdeek ya akhi.