Dispute erupts over film on Israel at Unitarian church in Massachusetts
DANVERS, Massachusetts (TNS) – The Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead’s Social Action Committee knew the decision to show the film The Occupation of the American Mind: Israel’s Public Relations War in the United States might be controversial – and it was right.
More than 100 residents and area organizations have come out in protest of the UUCM’s decision to air the movie. But committee members are standing by the choice.
The group will air the film at 4 p.m. on Sunday, at the Mugford Street church.
Narrated by Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, the film zeros in on pro-Israel public-relations efforts within the US. The discussion features “leading observers of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” who look at how the Israeli government, the US government and the pro-Israel lobby have allegedly joined forces to shape American media coverage of the conflict in Israel’s favor.
Jane Casler, who serves on the committee, said on Monday the protest did not really surprise her.
“We didn’t know what to expect, but we were fairly certain it would be controversial,” she said. “We’re trying to answer everybody and deal with this as honestly as we can.”
Rabbi David Cohen-Henriquez, of Temple Sinai, said showing the movie “is the wrong way to address the message of peace right now.”
Cohen-Henriquez is one of nearly 170 who signed a letter asking, “Why would a church show an antisemitic movie?” But he admits it puts him in a difficult position.
He is the current head of Marblehead’s Ministerial Association, a group made up of leaders from the community’s various houses of worship. He called it a strong organization, one he is proud of and a group that has always worked together. He said he is not happy with UUCM Rev. Wendy von Courter’s decision to show the film despite the growing controversy, but he also does not believe it is being done with malice.
“I don’t think this comes out of a place of hate or antisemitism,” he said.
That being said, Cohen-Henriquez is not a fan of the movie, though it is not necessarily the topic that haunts him but, rather, the narrator.
“Having Roger Waters narrate the movie is like having a movie on race narrated by David Duke,” he said, referring to the white-nationalist leader.
The Anti-Defamation League slammed Waters for a 2011 op-ed piece in which the musician announced he was joining the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement and encouraged other artists to refuse to perform in Israel. Actively boycotting Israel is a practice Waters has kept up in recent years, according to the ADL.
Mindful that he does not want to risk losing the sense of cooperation the Ministerial Association has built over the years, Cohen-Henriquez said he also could not leave his name off the list of protesters.
The protesters said the film is filled with interviews by anti-Israel individuals, lacks transparency, presents a factually incorrect and distorted account of the Israeli-Palestinian situation and will fill people’s minds with lies about Israel and America. The group also called on the UUCM to cancel the viewing.
When asked if he planned to attend the film, Cohen-Henriquez said his initial reaction was “not to give time or effort” to the cause. He said he does not believe the movie is helpful even to the Palestinians, and that it is patently one-sided.
“I can agree you have to hear more of the non-Jewish narrative,” he said, before adding this was not the right vehicle for that.
Von Courter said the UUCM does not claim a position on the conflict between Israel and “Palestine.”
“However, we reject the assertion that any critical inquiry of Israel’s practices and policies must be antisemitic,” she said. “While we have heard from Jewish organizations that oppose this film being shown, other organizations, including Jewish Voice for Peace, support showing the film.”
She said her congregation is also distressed because of the strident criticism it has received for the decision to show the movie.
“We’ve received emails and phone calls ranging from demands to cancel the film, lest we be known as the center for antisemitism, to gratitude for having the courage to show the film,” she said. “One message in particular spoke to me. A resident of Marblehead wrote, ‘I pray that if this film must be shown, it will be presented with love and honesty and not used as a forum for one-sided hate.’”
Von Courter said she could assure the person and others that the UUCM’s commitment to respect “the inherent worth and dignity of all people, including both our Jewish and our Palestinian siblings, is unwavering.”
Likewise, Casler said, she hopes people from both sides will come and view the film. She said the tendency is to pit Israel against “Palestine,” but the fact is it is not that black and white.
Marbleheader Faith Quintero said she would not attend, because there is too much hate, and she feels that inviting Israel supporters to a place that has conducted anti-Israel study groups is like inviting a runner to a marathon when the opponent has a 25-mile head start.
Von Courter said that given the pressure to cancel the showing, it seemed ironic that a central message of the film is that US citizens are prevented from hearing more than a single narrative about the conflict.
“The Occupation of the American Mind explores how messaging about the conflict between Palestine and Israel differs around the world and challenges assumptions US citizens may hold about the conflict,” she said. “As I’ve shared with my Jewish colleagues and others who have contacted us, Unitarian Universalism is grounded in a commitment to differing beliefs and ongoing inquiry. Showing this film is in keeping with our faith.”
Carolyn Corzine, chairwoman of the committee, said the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an issue that has long been on her mind, which is what led her to suggest showing the film.
While Israel appears modern, the West Bank is a very different world, and it’s easy to see how unbalanced the perception is, she said, adding, “I think people will be surprised.”
Do not count Debbie Coltin among them, though. Coltin is among the protesters. Where von Courter and Casler called the movie evidence-based, she believes it to be factually incorrect and said it tries to delegitimize and vilify Israel.
“It’s not accurate, it’s not true, and it lacks any historical context,” she said. “What is the purpose of it if the story is not told in context?”
Coltin is the executive director of the Lappin Foundation, whose mission is “to enhance Jewish identity,” in part by striving to enhance pride in being Jewish and creating a connection with Israel. She is quick to note, however, that she is speaking for herself, not the foundation.
Von Courter said the UUCM regrets that some in the community are upset and acknowledges that attendees might leave the film unchanged, but she believes everyone will be differently informed, having viewed it.
“We hope the film is well attended by people who arrive with open minds and a commitment to respectful engagement. If we can do that, it’s a win for all of us,” she said.