Watch Little Town of Bethlehem

Little Town of Bethlehem is a documentary film released in 2010. The movie concerns the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis and is a collaboration between three men who hail from both sides of the divide. The movie aims to uncover the stories of the people involved in the struggle and give voice to the unheard stories of people who want peace.

The movie follows the journey of three men, one Palestinian, one Israeli, and one American. Sami Awad is a Palestinian who grew up in Bethlehem, Ahmad Al'Azzeh is a refugee who was born in a Palestinian refugee camp near Bethlehem, and Yonatan Shapira is an Israeli who served in the Israeli Air Force before becoming an activist. Joel Dash is the American who filmed and produced the movie.

The story begins with the three men narrating their personal stories and how they became involved in the conflict. They recount their experiences of having family members killed or injured in the conflict, as well as the injustices and discrimination that they have faced. The film takes a balanced approach and shows that each of the three men has valid reasons for taking the positions they hold.

Sami Awad is a nonviolent Palestinian activist who runs a youth center in Bethlehem. He appeals to the younger generation to work towards peace and understanding, believing in the possibility of a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Ahmad Al'Azzeh is a Palestinian who has grown up under occupation and has lived through multiple violent clashes with Israeli forces. He is a more militant figure but his primary objective is to have his voice heard and for the world to know about the injustice and oppression that Palestinians face on a daily basis. Yonatan Shapira, an Israeli, is a former Israeli Defense Forces officer who has become an activist for peace. He is a well-spoken and articulate man who speaks of his desire to end the conflict and work towards a just solution.

The film takes the audience on a journey through the three men’s lives and the route they have taken to reach their positions. It also takes the audience through Bethlehem, a town that is at the very heart of the conflict. The town is divided by a wall erected by the Israeli military meant to keep out suicide bombers, which has had far-reaching consequences for the daily lives of the town's inhabitants. The wall has made it difficult for people to move around and has separated families from each other.

The directors of the film effectively capture the anger, fear, and pain felt by both Israelis and Palestinians. While the film is sympathetic to the plight and suffering of the Palestinian people, it does not villainize Israelis. Instead, it shows the audience that the two groups share a common narrative rooted in their shared history.

The movie effectively highlights the importance of dialogue between the two peoples, even in the face of despair and hopelessness. It shows that even though the differences between Israelis and Palestinians may at times seem insurmountable, there is always hope for peace. The final scenes of the movie depict a gathering of Israelis and Palestinians who bond over shared experiences and stories.

In conclusion, Little Town of Bethlehem is a moving and insightful documentary that sheds light on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Through the personal stories of three men, the film offers a fresh perspective on the conflict, highlighting that there is always hope for understanding and peace. The film is worth a watch and is an excellent documentary for anyone seeking to learn more about the conflict and the people affected by it.