Two Films Now Available Online Expel Myths About Palestine

Israel’s current refusal to allow foreign journalists into Gaza continues to fuel misinformation about the crisis and apathy towards Palestinians. For example, most MSM media outlets continue to insist that Hamas broke the cease-fire even though it is now widely known – at least outside of North America – that Israel broke the cease-fire on Nov. 4, 2008. Seemingly innocuous bits of information such as this are actually the opposite and are used by hard right pundits in the MSM to solicit support for the war and give Israel a free pass to slaughter innocent civilians. Getting to the truth of the matter is crucially important to encouraging an informed citizenry and building media democracy.

Although not new (both from 2003), two excellent films that expel some of the commonly held myths about Palestine and the Occupation are now online for free viewing. Visit the links below and please forward to others.

Peace, Propaganda & the Promised Land:

U.S. Media and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Directed by Bathsheba Ratzkoff & Sut Jhally, Media Education Foundation

80 min.

View the full film at http://www.pppl.org

The MEF’s release from Jan. 14, 2009 states: “As a result of the horrific events unfolding in Gaza, the Media Education Foundation is making its 2003 film Peace, Propaganda & the Promised Land: U.S. Media and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict available online FOR FREE. We are taking this unprecedented step to offer critical perspective on how the U.S. news media are covering this crisis. While the film was made in 2003, its analysis of U.S. news coverage of the Middle East has never been more relevant or more urgent. The film traces a longstanding pattern of media bias in the U.S., providing much needed context for understanding American news coverage of events in Gaza now. The film has elicited widespread praise for its clear-eyed analysis of both the conflict and the often one-sided way it has been presented to Americans over the years.”

Occupation 101

Directed by Sufyan Omeish & Abdallah Omeish; Narrated by Alison Weir

90 min.

“A thought-provoking and powerful documentary film on the current and historical root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Unlike any other film ever produced on the conflict — ‘Occupation 101′ presents a comprehensive analysis of the facts and hidden truths surrounding the never ending controversy and dispels many of its long-perceived myths and misconceptions.” See more info at the film’s official website at http://www.occupation101.com

[googlevideo]http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2451908450811690589[/googlevideo]–

Lyn X is a member of the Palestine Solidarity Network and a Director at the Edmonton Small Press Association (ESPA). Find ESPA on facebook or at http://www.edmontonsmallpress.org