Film brings Palestinian challenges into focus
"It was hard to watch - but I felt I had to be here."
It was a comment heard more than once from amongst the 100 people who gathered at St. Clement's on Saturday night to watch Where Olive Trees Weep, a multi-award winning documentary that offers a glimpse into the experiences of Palestian people living under Israeli occupation. Considering some of the harrowing realities depicted, it was sobering to consider the vast changes for the worst that have taken place since the documentary was filmed in 2022.
The evening began on a positive note, however, with an opening reception in Creekside Commons, the garden adjoining the church. On arrival, people could enjoy a tasty spread of Middle Eastern appetizers, the sunny early evening, and the buzz of interesting conversation between people who had travelled from various areas of the Lower Mainland to take part in the event.
After moving inside, the assemblage was welcomed by St. Clement's priest, the Rev. Helen Dunn, and a special land acknowledgment and prayer were offered by local Squamish Nation elders, Linda George and Kathleen Nahanee. Then followed the film that featured riveting testimony and commentary from lead documentarians Ashira Darwish, activist and journalist, grassroots activist Ahed Tamimi, and Israeli journalist Amira Hass, with added appearances from others including Vancouver's Dr. Gabor Maté, who has visited the region three times to work with women traumatized by their experiences of torture.
A panel discussion following the film added further context to the issues raised. Facilitated by St. Clement's music director Lynley Lewis, the panel offered their own thoughts about the film and the issues raised. Chief amongst the views expressed was that being concerned by and critical of the abuses being suffered by the Palestinian population is not equivalent to being "anti-Jewish." People often feel silenced by this false narrative, a narrative that panelist Sid Shniad stated that he, as a Jewish person, finds offensive.
Shniad is a member of Independent Jewish Voices. Other panel members included Palestinian Christian Shadia Qubti, SFU professor of international studies Tamir Moustafa, and the Rev. Helen Dunn, who spoke about the need to untangle the Christian church's staunch commitment to walking alongside those of Jewish faith from the call to stand up for people who are suffering under Israeli occupation in Palestine.
While the event was free, people were encouraged to consider a donation to Alongside Hope's (formerly PWRDF) Gaza and West Bank Emergency Response Fund.