This week I attended the screening of "Bil'in Habibti" (Bil'in My Love), a superb documentary by Israeli filmmaker Shai Pollack. (photo right). Pollack and Palestinian activist, Mansour Mansour, (photo below) are on a nationwide tour talking about the film and nonviolent resistance in Palestine. "Bil'in Habibti" chronicles the struggle by Bil'in residents (a village in the West Bank) to prevent their land from being illegally seiged by the Israeli government. For over two years (going on 3 now) village residents protest against the annexation of their land by holding weekly non-violent demonstrations on village land that the Israelis hope to confiscate. The Israeli army counters these non-violent protests by firing tear gas canisters, rubber bullets, sound bombs and beatings. In December 2005, I spent 3 days filmming demonstrations at Bil'in and observed Shai filmming segments of "Bil'in Habibti".
Shai wonderfully captures the determination and creativity of the village residents, especially that of Mohammed Khatib who seems to delight in coming up with the village's themed demonstrations. A small but loyal group of Israeli activists and internationals have joined the villagers on these weekly protests - themselves being subjected to the army's brutality. This film is great and really speaks to the power of non-violent resistance. These two men are making a difference. For dates on the speaking tour visit
www.stopapartheid.org
This week I attended the screening of "Bil'in Habibti" (Bil'in My Love), a superb documentary by Israeli filmmaker Shai Pollack. (photo right). Pollack and Palestinian activist, Mansour Mansour, (photo below) are on a nationwide tour talking about the film and nonviolent resistance in Palestine. "Bil'in Habibti" chronicles the struggle by Bil'in residents (a village in the West Bank) to prevent their land from being illegally seiged by the Israeli government. For over two years (going on 3 now) village residents protest against the annexation of their land by holding weekly non-violent demonstrations on village land that the Israelis hope to confiscate. The Israeli army counters these non-violent protests by firing tear gas canisters, rubber bullets, sound bombs and beatings. In December 2005, I spent 3 days filmming demonstrations at Bil'in and observed Shai filmming segments of "Bil'in Habibti". 
Shai wonderfully captures the determination and creativity of the village residents, especially that of Mohammed Khatib who seems to delight in coming up with the village's themed demonstrations. A small but loyal group of Israeli activists and internationals have joined the villagers on these weekly protests - themselves being subjected to the army's brutality. This film is great and really speaks to the power of non-violent resistance. These two men are making a difference. For dates on the speaking tour visit www.stopapartheid.org
