Films
Britain in Palestine 1917-1948 (18-mins) produced for educational use by the Balfour Project. Recognising Britain’s historic role in the development of the Israel/Palestlne conflict, this film asks the questions: What did Britain do in Palestine and why? What were the consequences? A 60-page Companion Guide expands on the points raised in the film.
100 Years After Balfour (2017, 24 mins) by Independent Jewish Voices. How the decisions of the British government in 1917 are linked to the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, its fifty-year occupation of the West Bank since 1967, and today’s political gridlock. Introduced by journalist Jon Snow, including contributions from Jewish academics, commentators and activists – Professor Avi Shlaim, Professor Jacqueline Rose, Rabbi Howard Cooper, Professor Brian Klug, Antony Lerman, Barnaby Raine and Miri Weingarten.
Al Nakba: The Palestinian Catastrophe 1948 (1997) Spanning the 19th and 20th centuries, the four-part documentary examines the historical background of the conflict from the British Mandate and the 1948 expulsion of Palestinians to the ongoing issues.
A Talk with Remarkable People (2021, 52 mins) Director Maryse Gargour
From Balfour to Banksy (2020, 80 mins, Martin Buckley – former BBC film-maker and journalist. A century after Britain’s ‘Balfour Declaration’ and 50 years after the end of the 1967 war, the film records some of the realities of life for millions of Palestinians who still live in a military zone with seriously compromised human rights. It shows the vision of contemporary British artist Banksy, who has created in Palestine a hotel that is also a remarkable satirical art installation.
Israel vs Israel(2010) Documentary on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict by Swedish freelance journalist and filmmaker Terje Carlsson about Israeli peace activists trying to peacefully resist the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and improve life for the Palestinians living under occupation.
Palestine is still the issue (2010, 53 mins) John Pilger.
Roadmap to Apartheid (2012) Award-winning documentary directed by Ana Nogueira and Eron Davidson and narrated by Alice Walker. Takes a detailed looks at the apartheid analogy commonly used to describe the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Land Speaks Arabic (2014, 101 mins) Director Maryse Gargour.
The Price of Oslo Al Jazeera Documentary. Videos covering the Oslo Accords and the failure of the Peace Process.
The Tinderbox (2020, 92 mins) Director Gillian Moseley. Presents the story of Britain’s Mandate, juxtaposed against the lives of a variety of Israelis and Palestinians who are still dealing with its consequences. Accompanying teaching/learning materials in preparation.
On-line platforms / compilations
Al Jazeera
- Palestine Re-Mix Interactive timeline of Palestinian history. Provides remix technology, instructions, search function and access to documentaries and other footage so students can research and create their own videos.
- JVP Boston has a very useful list of 70+ films with trailers in the Israel/Palestine film library. Licensed for personal use and small groups. Films can only be sent to people living in the US. Email jvpboston@gmail.com
JustVision Films Award-winning films… stories of Palestinians and Israelis working for a just, free and equal future. “Just Vision is a non-profit, working with partners and supporters who believe in the invaluable role of women’s leadership, the power of the grassroots in building rights-respecting societies and the transformative role of media in shaping our cultural and societal norms…..We are a team of filmmakers, journalists, storytellers and human rights advocates who envision a pluralistic, just and rights-respecting future in the region”.
My Jewish Learning Interactive timeline of Israeli history.
Palestine Museum (US) Currently holds weekly online educational and artistic events including a film every Saturday or Sunday which is usually followed by a discussion with the Director.
Savoir Flair – A list of 20 must-see films with trailers.
- Short article about Netflix Launches ‘Palestinian Stories’ Collection – Savoir Flair
Solutions not sides Part 1 and Part 2. Note: “Solutions Not Sides makes no attempt to reconcile or support any of these films or the narratives they show, but we believe it is important to understand each side’s perspective and the way that their society presents and understands events”.
Step Feed – A list of 11 documentaries to better understand Israel/Palestine.
Other Resources
For the Classroom
- Amnesty International’s lesson plan on ‘The Kites Are Flying’ by Michael Morpurgo
- Performing International Plays’ lesson plan around Dalia Taha’s play ‘Fireworks‘
Adult-Level for Self-Led Exploration:
- Holocaust survivor and trauma specialist Gabor Mate speaks about Palestine and Israel.
- Statement from women of colour and Jewish Feminists Occupied Palestinian territories
- A Threshold Crossed United Nations: The question of Palestine (Human Rights Watch Report)
- B’tselem (The Israel Information Centre for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories) Report
A collection of articles covering the Israel Palestine conflict told from an Israeli perspective
- World Communion of Reformed Churches (In the UK includes United Reformed Church, Congregational Union, Church of Scotland, Presbyterian Churches in Wales and Ireland)
- On Teaching the Arab-Israeli Conflict: A Conversation with Professor Avi Shlaim (Oxford Middle East Review)
The Balfour Project is providing links to this eclectic list of learning and teaching resources as a free service, but neither the list, nor any individual resource on the list, is a legal interpretation or a statement of Balfour Project policy. Reference to any specific resource or materials does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the Balfour Project.