Promises

The documentary Promises transcends politics to provide a humanistic view into the perspectives of those affected most by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: the children. Through candid interviews with selected Israeli and Palestinian youths, the film reveals rare insight into the ongoing conflict over the region known as Israel/Palestine. However, the answer to who has rightful claim to the region remains ambiguous.

To better understand the complexities of the current conflict, first one must understand the historical context in which it aroseÐ'--one must understand the legacy of bitterness and distrust between the two peoples. In the wake of the Holocaust, thousands of Jews dispersed throughout the world in search of freedom from persecution in what would be referred to as the "Diaspora." Recognizing the need for a Jewish state, many Jews immigrated to Palestine to fulfill the goals of the Zionist movementÐ'--the Jewish nationalism movement with the goal of reconstituting a Jewish state in Palestine.

Apathetic to Zionist cause, the United Nations partitioned Palestine into parts for the Palestinians and parts for the Israelis. The Palestinians vehemently opposed the partition plans. Regardless, in 1948, Israel declared statehood and was subsequently attacked by the neighboring Arab countries. Israel defeated the unorganized Arab nations and gained even more land than was originally partitioned.

The Jews controlled all of what is now western Israel. The Jordanians controlled eastern Israel, including Jerusalem. In the 1967 war, Israel occupied Jerusalem and the Sinai Peninsula. Presently, many Arabs are not allowed into Jerusalem to visit their holiest sites, just as the Jews were not allowed.

It is without a doubt that religion is the fundamental factor in many of the people's positions on who is entitled to the land. Moishe, a Jewish boy interviewed in the film, asserts that "God promised us Israel" and that "the Arabs came and took it." He cites an excerpt from the Torah, in which "God said to Abraham: I will give to and your descendants all the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession," as proof of the Jewish right to Canaan (an ancient name for Palestine). On the contrary, Mahmoud, a young Palestinian boy, contends that "If it's their (the Jews) land, why does the Koran say The Prophet, Mohammed, flew from Mecca to the Al Aqsa Mosque in JERUSALEM? So Jerusalem belongs to us! To the Arabs!"

Both Jews and Muslims are monotheistic; they believe in only one God. Yet, there is a blatant contradiction between what their God told them regarding Israel/Palestine. How could God have promised the same land to both of these peoples? Maybe He was double-dealing for His own sick amusement. Or, perhaps He intended for these peoples to live together in harmony. No one can know for sure, but it is a shame that the latter interpretation hasn't fallen on more willing ears. Alas, religious fanatics on both sides rigidly refuse to resign to this option, despite the teachings of peace and tolerance in their respective religions. The saying "I don't care if you believe in rocks, so long as you don't throw them at me" aptly articulates the feelings of the more moderate