The 50 Years War: Israel and the Arabs

This was a complete eye-opener for me - and I'd considered myself pretty familiar with the politics and history of the region since I lived there for a significant period of time. To hear about these events from the very mouths of the people who were there, its just the most fascinating thing ever. Absolutely mandatory viewing.

For anyone who's the least bit interested in international history and politics this is a fascinating documentary. The story of the Israeli-Arab conflict from 1947 to 1998 has been written about in newspapers and depicted in newscasts. Always, however, one has been left with the incomplete story, or a story reported with a slant. Here is something very different. The politicians, the generals, the terrorists, the peacemakers, the citizens - so very many of the important people who were involved in this history provide us with insightful present-day interviews into what was happening when they themselves were making history over the past 50 year period. To hear President Jimmy Carter explain how and why Anwar Sadat almost stormed out of the Camp David peace talks before a deal was reached makes and how he managed to salvage this situation at the last minute; to hear the top military brass of Syria explain why he was terrified at the prospect of a face to face meeting with Israelis (because it has never before happened) - these are the kinds of glimpses into history that make this documentary the success that it is. It is near-perfect.

The UK version, narrated by Tim Piggott-Smith, has subtitles, rather than the dubbed USA version. At one point Prime Minister Shamir of Israel is asked why he authorized the assassination of Abu Nidal, who had organized the first Intefada - they threw stones, did not use guns or grenades, etc. Shamir, speaking in Hebrew, says that Nidal was an enemy of Isreal and adds that "It was no big deal". This is translated in the UK subtitle version. The US dubbed version omits this last comment in the soundtrack. It is a matter of personal preference, but I would prefer to know actually what was said, rather than what appears to be a sanitized version and one which also appears to have some bias towards the Isreali position. The UK version does not seem to be currently available on DVD.

For anyone with even a passing interest in international history and politics, this documentary covers the Israeli-Arab conflict from 1947 to 1998, a subject frequently reported in newspapers and on television. However, mainstream coverage has often been incomplete or presented with a particular slant. This documentary attempts to offer something different, bringing together the voices of politicians, generals, terrorists, peacemakers, and ordinary citizens who shaped these pivotal decades.

However it is not as balanced as it could have been, BBC can't help it, being at its best antisemitic.

One of the documentary's worst lacks of strengths is its Twisting of firsthand accounts from those who were at the heart of historic decisions.

As said above While it presents multiple perspectives, there is a noticeable tendency to scrutinize Israel's actions more critically than those of its adversaries. This has long been a pattern in BBC's coverage of the Middle East, often portraying Israel as the primary aggressor while downplaying the complexities and responsibilities of the surrounding nations and militant groups.

This documentary is by far, the best one i have ever seen, you get to hear first hand story lines from the leaders of the nations (at the time) themselves, USA presidents, Israely PM, Palestinian leaders, Syrian military leaders, etc.

Its really worth watching, especially that we would want to know the true story behind all the news we have been hearing about them for as long as we can remember!

it also covers in depth, the true happenings of the Oslo agreement, and how it went sour..

not only that, but you get to see how the sensitivity between the two peoples has grown over the past 50 years alone.