‘There is no occupation', Arab pastor tells shocked young tourists

An international group of millennials have seen the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a new light after engaging with both sides – and being shocked by what they discovered.

A party of 11 young people from seven nations were brought together for the chance to understand issues from the point of view of those living there.

They were deliberately not primed to view things from any particular perspective in order to allow them to form their own conclusions through interviews and talks with representatives of both Israelis and Palestinians.

Their three-week trip was recorded on film for a feature-length documentary called Quest 4 Truth, now available on YouTube.

It was produced by Generation 2 Generation, a UK-based organisation founded by Andrew, Daniella and Daphne Kirk committed to inspiring the next generation with an uncompromising passion for Jesus and the Gospel.

Impact of Social Media

The group – from Germany, the USA, the UK, Norway, Japan, Brazil and South Africa – were introduced to community leaders in the Palestinian territories as well as in Israel itself.

Not surprisingly, most of them are strongly influenced by social media which generally portrays a narrative of Israel as big bullies of an oppressed people. Media bias had shaped their perception of the conflict, and they were profoundly shocked to discover that the truth was very different.

“I’ve been lied to,” said one. “You realise how false these stories are,” said another.

The Deputy Mayor of Bethlehem, Essam Juha, was forced to explain why a swastika was inscribed into the fabric of the hotel where they met him. He said it was because Israel had humiliated nations in the same way they had been treated.

“It was so hard for me to keep a straight face”, said Marlea, from New Orleans. “How dare they make that comparison [with the Holocaust]?”

Media bias had shaped the millennials’ perception of the conflict, and they were profoundly shocked to discover that the truth was very different.

After hearing how Palestinians see the Israelis as occupiers of their land, they were taken aback by the response of Arab pastor Naim Khoury, who asked: “What occupation?” And as he turned towards the windows, he added: “Where is the occupation? We are completely under the Palestinian Authority.”

The point was further brought home by a member of the group, who observed: “I have not seen one IDF [Israeli Defence Force] soldier, or Israeli flag.”

They also learnt that the throwing of rocks – and even Molotov cocktails – at Israeli soldiers is seen by Fatah, the PA’s ruling party, as non-violent activity.

Visiting ‘the Wall’

A further learning curve involved meeting Col Danny Tirza, architect of Israel’s notorious security barrier built to keep out terrorists, who said he wanted to be the first to begin taking it down when peace finally came. But in the meantime the murder rate from terrorism had been cut by 90%.

He said that those whose land had been split by the wall – only five per cent of which is concrete, the rest being a much more discreet wire fence – are offered compensation, but refuse to accept it for fear of being labelled collaborators.

Graffiti on the wall betrays the true ambition of Palestinian agitators, with a map showing all of geographical Israel as theirs. They have no wish to share the land, or establish a state beside Israel. They want all of it.

As historian Dr Michael Brown put it: “If the Palestinians put down their weapons there’d be no more war; if Israel put down their weapons, there’d be no more Israel.”

An ex-IDF soldier said: “They use our moral standards against us.” As an example, he explained how a terrorist suspect fled to a crowded residential area, knowing they wouldn’t open fire if civilians were at risk. And when the military had the place surrounded, the fugitive duly appeared on the roof in a bid to escape, at which point they shot him in the leg. But while supporting medics were bandaging him up, the soldiers were pelted with huge rocks. Israelis risk death because of the great value they place on life.

Israelis risk death because of the great value they place on life.

The youngsters hear from Israeli-supporting Stand with Us representative Shevy Kass on a visit to Sderot.Evidence of Apartheid?

Further observations on the Palestinians included – “They are victims of their own hatred” and “They are suffering a lot because of radical people in their community.”

In the southern city of Sderot, meanwhile, a rocket-proof playground has had to be built for children so that when sirens warn of regular incoming missiles from Hamas in nearby Gaza, the kids have an immediate bolt-hole.

The group also visited Jerusalem’s Yad Vashem Holocaust museum where a tearful young British woman, Megan, was visibly shocked by the way her country – in charge of the region then known as Palestine – closed the doors to Jews trying to escape Nazi-occupied Europe. And on the question of Israel practising apartheid – a charge widely disseminated by the liberal left – she added: “I haven’t seen any evidence of it.”

Dr Brown emphasised the need for Israel’s self-defence by saying that anti-Semitism levels are as high now as they were immediately before the Holocaust. A Brazilian member added: “I believe the biggest reason for anti-Semitism is lack of knowledge.” And a German youth said: “The greatest enemy of anti-Semitism is the truth.”

Watch the full documentary by clicking here (Christian version) or here (non-Christian version).

Sharon and Frances Rabbitts review 'Abraham's Vision' (2011, Hatikvah Films) – previously 'Blessing, Curse or Coincidence? Vol 1'.

Abraham's Vision is a 2-hour long, multi-award winning documentary looking at God's covenant purposes for Israel and their implications for the nations through history. Presented by Lance Lambert, this Hatikvah film was previously published under the title Blessing, Curse or Coincidence? Vol 1, and stands as the first of a three-part documentary, the second of which is entitled Jacob's Tears (reviewed elsewhere on the site).

Tracing God's Divine Purpose

The series traces God's divine purpose for Israel from Genesis to Revelation, mapping this onto the course of world history. In particular, it tracks how God's promise in Genesis to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse her has been borne out through various Gentile nations, empires and individuals (given the nature of history, of course, the focus is mostly on those who have come under God's curse for harming His people).

But beyond this, the ultimate goal is to get viewers to see the course of global history, including the rise and fall of major empires, as a testimony to God's truth and faithfulness to His promises, particularly in relation to His covenant people. We are to see history in the context of Scripture and God's overarching covenant purposes, not the other way around. This it achieves well.

The DVD tracks God's covenant promises to Israel and their fulfilment through time, also joining up the dots between His purposes for them and His Gospel purposes for the whole world.

From Eden to Rome

Abraham's Vision is split into 9 parts, beginning in Eden, but spending the bulk of its time looking at the three major covenants - Abrahamic, Mosaic and Davidic. It then follows Israel through into exile in Babylon, and then into the dominion of the Greek and Roman empires, during which the New Covenant is given through Jesus Messiah.

It covers the usual ground, bringing the narratives alive with the help of artistic renderings and computer-generated images (some of which appear rather dated now, but which are still helpful for bringing the stories alive), as well as footage of the Holy Land. It also makes time to explore less well-known themes such as the enmity between Israel and the Philistines (and the continuation of this in modern-day Islam). Where it ends – with the fall of Rome – is where Jacob's Tears picks up.

Suitable for Group or Individual Use

The DVD comes with Bible Study notes for individuals and groups, making this an ideal resource for home/cell groups as well as personal use. It is an ideal introduction for those with little or no prior experience of this topic or understanding of Scripture/history, and is paced well for stop-start group discussion.

Each section is well-supported with Bible verses, as well as historical and archaeological evidence, discussed and applied ably by international Bible scholars and teachers, academics and ministry leaders, several of whom are Messianic Jews. Contributors include Malcolm Hedding, Dr Jack Hayford, Chuck Cohen and Ofer Amitai. Together they unpack the significance of the biblical covenants, the fulfilments we are still awaiting today, how they connect into global politics and what to look for in the future. Everything is very clearly explained – but with enough room left for questions and discussion to be inspired amongst viewers.

This is a very helpful, Spirit-filled, encouraging DVD that would make useful grounding for anyone interested in exploring God's purposes for Israel, the world and themselves – especially those who have little or no prior knowledge in this area. Ideal for small group use – and suitable for teens and up.

Buy Abraham's Vision for £15 from Hatikvah Films (who also offer a streaming service). It is also available on DVD as a series of 13 half-hour programmes originally aired on Revelation TV.

Download accompanying resources, watch clips and find out more about the film's history at blessingcursecoincidence.com.

'David Suchet: In the Footsteps of St Peter' (documentary), originally broadcast 3^rd/5^th April 2015, BBC1. Episode 1 available in full on Youtube. Full documentary available as a REGION 1 DVD (USA only) from Amazon.

In this DVD of a two-part series originally broadcast on the BBC, the well-known actor David Suchet invites us to join him on his personal quest to discover the nature and character of the man who became known throughout the world as St Peter.

There is so much to enjoy in these films as we are guided sympathetically and intelligently through the story of Peter's life from his early beginnings as a Galilean fisherman. We are treated to some wonderful locations and spectacular settings as well as lots of fascinating information which will reinvigorate familiar Biblical passages. And we get to hear David read from scripture in his rich and well-trained voice!

Skilful Presentation

The programmes follow a typical format. Our presenter spends a lot of time in discussion with a variety of experts: archaeologists, historians, Biblical scholars. By his intelligent questions and genuine desire to understand St Peter better, Suchet skilfully enables these experts not just to display knowledge, but to become instrumental to our own learning.

Then, addressing us directly in his pieces to camera, he muses over what he has discovered and shares what he now understands of the man behind the Biblical texts. Gradually the character of Peter comes to life in the mind of a character actor.

Suchet brings the character of Peter to life through his sympathetic, intelligent presentation and his own personal enthusiasm.

Galilee

We start in Galilee where Suchet samples St Peter's fish and visits Peter's house. The scene examining the 'Jesus boat' will fascinate many, as will the fishing trip on the lake in a modern boat. But it is as Peter is called to follow Jesus and be a 'fisher of men' that the story develops. His faith and failings show him as a flawed but committed disciple who knew the dangers of following Jesus but who comes to an inspired realisation that here indeed is the Messiah.

The scene at Banias is particularly well presented and overall we gain insights into the dynamic that must have existed between Peter and Jesus – again, a key interest of our actor-presenter.

Jerusalem

In Jerusalem we visit a yeshiva and witness how Jews debate and learn – a very informative section for those previously unaware of this. In Gethsemane we are shown the type of sword Peter would have carried. Naturally we visit the Holy Sepulchre but it is pleasing that by contrast we are also taken inside a typical empty family tomb, such as Peter ran to on Easter Sunday morning.

Acts

In the second hour we pick up the story after the resurrection and examine key passages in Acts. Peter's preaching at Pentecost is explained, as is his time in Joppa and Caesarea, with the household of Cornelius.

The mention of Cappadocia in the opening of Peter's first letter provides a perfect excuse to visit that extraordinary part of Turkey with its breath-taking landscape. Never mind if Peter didn't actually visit there himself - this is a wonderful opportunity to see examples of cave churches carved in the rock with their magnificent frescoes, typical of first century Christian communities that Peter will have ministered to. Here is one of the DVD's visual highlights.

A visual highlight is the coverage of Cappadocia's cave churches, which once held congregations to which Peter would have ministered.

Rome

We inevitably finish in Rome and the Vatican, with its own particular splendour. Here issues around Peter's death and whether he founded the church there are sensitively explored, together with the belief that he was the first Pope. As always our genial and thoughtful guide helps us unravel tradition from history and Biblical passages.

Fresh study material

This DVD can be watched several times and still remain fresh. It is so full of helpful background and insights, and would be particularly useful for small study groups and discussion groups, especially those just beginning to explore the Jewish roots of Christianity. Leaders can adapt the two 1-hour programmes into various lengths to provide visual material for several evenings, perhaps with the Scriptures being read and considered alongside the various scenes. The overall effect will remain long in the memory.