Documentaries

Al Nakba: The Palestinian Catastrophe 1948 (1997) Benny Brunner and Alexandra Jansse

The first documentary to examine the the displacement of 750,000 Palestinians that accompanied the birth of the state of Israel in 1948.

Britain in Palestine 1917-1948 (18 mins) Balfour Project

Recognising Britain’s historic role in the development of the Israel/Palestlne conflict, this film outlines British policy in Palestine and the consequences.

From Balfour to Banksy (2020, 80 mins) Martin Buckley 

The film explores a range of views from occupied Palestine today, ranging from anger to attempts at envisioning a future. It also shows the vision of the contemporary artist Banksy, who has created a hotel in Palestine that also serves as a satirical art installation. The film asks, how do today’s Palestinians live, behind the ‘security wall’? And what change must come? 

Israel vs Israel (2010) Terje Carlsson

The film follows four Israelis trying to put an end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories – one grandmother, one rabbi, one anarchist and one ex-soldier.

Roadmap to Apartheid (2012) Ana Nogueira and Eron Davidson

Weaving the history of apartheid into the complex issues facing Israelis and Palestinians, this film highlights the similar laws and tools used by Israel and apartheid-era South Africa.

The Land Speaks Arabic (2014, 101 mins) Maryse Gargour

Focus on the 19th century birth of Zionism and its repercussions for Palestinians. Through archival documents and footage, testimonies of witnesses, and interviews with historians, the film illustrates that the expulsion of the indigenous Arab population from Palestine was far from an accidental result of the 1948 war. 

The Price of Oslo (2013, 47 mins) Al Jazeera

Analysis of the Oslo Accords and failure of the Peace Process.

The Tinderbox (2020, 92 mins) Gillian Moseley

Gillian Mosely exposes how, when, and why the conflict began through her journey around Israel and the West Bank and interviews with Israelis and Palestinians.

100 Years After Balfour (2017, 24 mins) Independent Jewish Voices

Introduced by journalist Jon Snow and including contributions from leading Jewish academics, commentators and activists, this documentary links the decisions of the British government in 1917 to the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, its fifty-year occupation of the West Bank, and today’s political gridlock

Further watching

20 Must-See Documentaries and Films about Palestine, Savoir Flair

Netflix Launches ‘Palestinian Stories’ Collection with Award-Winning Films

Palestine Remix: Al Jazeera-produced films which explore Palestinian cities past and present, Israeli prisons, and resistance movements challenging the occupation today.

Just Vision: Award winning films telling stories of Palestinians and Israelis working for a just, free and equal future

Jewish Voice for Peace Free Film Library: catalogue of 70+ films


Reference to any specific resource or materials does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the Balfour Project.