Occupation 101

I've been interested in the situation in the Middle East for years. It started when I read a book by a dutch parliamentarian/writer on Gaza. I thought it was probably not true. I didn't believe the situation could be that bad. Well, I was wrong as I learned from years of reading books on the subject and following the news via newspapers and internet. So there's not much surprising for me in this documentary. It depicts life for Palestinians in the Westbank and Gaza. Which is far from a normal life because they live and have lived for decades under occupation. It's a pretty miserable life too. Land taken away, bypass roads on which Palestinians are not allowed to drive, numerous checkpoints and constant land-confiscations. This documentary shows it all from, it has to be said, a strictly Palestinian/Arab point of view. In that sense it is easy for Pro-Israeli's to dismiss this documentary because it's not balanced. Still, I think everyone even a little bit interested in the subject should watch this. It just might give you a new perspective on one of the most hotly contested areas in the world.

All we ever read, and watch and hear are the bombarding from our media, telling us what to believe, spoon fed how we should feel. It's very refreshing to now know and see the two sides. This documentary has backed up its statistical data with references as evidence, and the opinions expressed are not biased, you would think it would be Palestine's points of views only, but surprisingly they are the voices of Israelis, they are the voices of soldiers, politicians,Jews and Christians etc. I cried, and felt the suffering, I cannot fathom what people under occupation must go through on a daily basis because I have never experienced it, but watching this documentary gave me the insight that I needed. And I will no longer be narrow minded, judgemental, or have tunnel vision. No matter what race or religion, we are all brothers and sisters. The change starts from within ourselves and I for one am changed from this moment. I recommend this documentary and hope it opens the eyes and hearts of others, as it has mine.

There is no doubt that this is a one-sided movie. If you love Israel, this will be a very difficult film to watch, and you'll probably be highly critical.

But if you're interested in understanding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, this is best and most digestible account of the Palestinian perspective.

Don't take everything in this movie at face value. There's plenty of pandering to your heart, crying mothers, and upset children. But it is well researched, with a good account of the history of the conflict, and it eloquently explains many of the hot button issues for the Palestinian man on the street.. life under occupation, religious discrimination, US support for Israel, Gaza, and checkpoints.

After watching this, you'll understand better why a small minority turn to violence, and you'll have much more admiration for the large majority of Palestinians who've suffered and protested peacefully their lack of rights through 40 years of military occupation.

The movie is now a few years old, but it's still relevant.

I highly recommend this movie. It can be found online.

In hindsight, when analyzing oppression we generally come to the conclusion that the side of the oppressed should be advocated. In South Africa, for instance, there was of course violence from the oppressed party, and no one was praising that, but doesn't the incredible violence and ethnic cleansing from the apartheid government deserve far more attention? The view that there are viable and arguable sides to this situation is like saying that there are valid sides to apartheid. Am I biased towards the side of the Africans during the oppression? Of course

This documentary is an accurate portrayal of Palestinian life. I spent a month in the West Bank and Israel, and every single Palestinian is affected by the occupation. I talked to a family who left their house for 2 days only to come back and find a Jewish family living in it, leaving them homeless. People tell themselves that there must be another side to the story because they are aren't aware of the magnitude of the oppression. This film indeed should have involved more ordinary or affected Isrealis, because it would only expose further the inequality and one-sidedness of the conflict, paid for by US tax dollars.

It is impossible to see this heartbreaking documentary and come away still believing that Isreal is the victim in the crisis. It is poignant and accurate, and helps to relieve the public ignorance which blinds us to the gross political oppression of an apartheid state, brought to you by the USA

This is best and maybe the only film thats exposes the truth about this conflict.

As the film said: "forget everything you think you know" The film is a fantastic work, it shows historic facts, stats, interviews with the people who live, interviews with human rights groups, etc.

I watch this movie with a lot of people, the feeling when you get to know the truth that the film exposes will make you anger and sad at the same time. Makes you think: "We must do something" and "How can this happen in the 21st and no one do nothing?" specially if you are an Israeli Jewish.

I strongly recommend you to buy this film and watch it and share the information with as much people as you can.