Online Videos About the Middle East Conflict(s)
The Power of Nightmares - The Rise of the Politics of Fear
This is a BBC documentary on the rise of Neo-Conservatism in the United States and Radical Islam in the Middle East. Adam Curtis, the film’s writer and producer, focuses on these two movements as separate and similar entities—separate because they both are of two religions, and yet similar because they also use religion to justify acts of war. Influenced by the attacks on September 11, 2001 and the Iraqi war that followed, this film discusses how keeping mass amounts of people in fear allows for political control. 180 minutes.
In 90 seconds one can learn the history of the world’s three main monotheistic religions and two of it’s polytheistic religions. From the birth of Krishna to Muhammad, this interactive map plays like a movie to show the expansion of the world’s religions throughout time. 1.5 minutes.
Imperial History of the Middle East
The Middle East was the birth of civilization. Beginning with the Kingdom of Egypt in 1860 BC, this interactive map shows the Middle East being ruled by almost all of the noted dynasties in world history. A timeline follows the movie at the bottom of the screen and allows the viewer to put Middle Eastern imperialism in context. 1.5 minutes.
Teenagers and War in Israel and Palestine (In English.)
This short clip shows interviews with Israeli and Palestinian teenagers during a time of conflict. Few of those being interviewed follow in their parents’ footsteps and favor the opposition to peace, yet most of them agree that peace is what is most important. Descriptions of everyday life are devastating and many of these young teenagers wish to live a life without the fear of immediate death. 3:14 minutes.
This clip explains the major differences between the two major denominations in Islam. 85% of Muslims identify as Sunni and 15% as Shiite – which denomination is correct in their beliefs? Through watching this video one will come to understand that there is no right and wrong within the Sunni and Shiite’s beliefs, but rather different interpretations about who Muhammad’s successors are. It’s important to know the major differences between these two groups to understand the conflict that is currently going on within Islam in the Middle East. 6:24 minutes.
DAM, "Born Here", Hebrew/Arabic with English subtitles
Hip-hop is taken to the Palestinian streets as the youth rises up to discuss the problems facing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “This is not racism, this is Zionism. Enough. This is ignorance atop ignorance…” the rappers of DAM blame both sides to the conflict, but claim all they want is for their schools and homes to not be surrounded by sewer. This is a heart-felt song coming from the youth of Palestine’s new generation. 4:12 minutes.
BANKSY : SANTAS GHETTO, PALESTINE
The hidden British graffiti artist gets his hands dirty in the Middle East. This clip shows the Banksy’s street-art in the Santas Ghetto of Palestine. Some of the inspiring, yet heart wrenching pieces include an armored peace dove, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a Playboy bunny, an angel bleeding from her heart, baby dolls as dove statues, and many more. 5:22 minutes.
Just Vision is a US based nonprofit that addresses the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with film. Encounter point features a former Israeli settler, a Palestinian ex-prisoner, a bereaved Israeli mother and a wounded Palestinian bereaved brother as they risk their lives and public standing to promote a nonviolent end to the conflict. Their journeys lead them to the unlikeliest places to confront hatred within their communities. The film explores what drives them and thousands of other like-minded civilians to overcome anger and grief to work for grassroots solutions.
DAVID HOROWITZ, MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT
This ten minute propaganda piece does an excellent job of portraying the myths and beliefs of the loony right wing. Never mind the facts in this clip; listen to the music and take in the images. Wow.
This is one of an extremely small number of videos that attempt to use humor to explain their ideas about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. God bless ‘em. I note with admiration that “humor” is, or should be, a linguistic relative of “human.”
Bonus clip:
Israelis 2000 Eurovision Song Contest Entry, Sameach http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHkkTqZ3InE&feature=related (At 2:49 the lead singer starts waving a Syrian flag. Yes, this is funny.)
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