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Israelism

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Israelism

2023

1h 24m

Documentary

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4 Reviews

92%

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100+ Ratings

Two young American Jews -- Simone Zimmerman and Eitan -- are raised to defend the state of Israel at all costs. Eitan joins the Israeli military. Simone supports Israel on 'the other battlefield': America's college campuses. When they witness Israel's mistreatment of the Palestinian people with their own eyes, they are horrified and heartbroken. They join the movement of young American Jews battling the old guard over Israel's centrality in American Judaism, and demanding freedom for the Palestinian people. Their stories reveal a generational divide in the American Jewish community as more young Jews question the narratives their synagogues and Hebrew school teachers fed them as children. Israelism is an urgent, crucial examination of how we got here, what the debate in the Jewish community is like at this moment, and where it might go from here.

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Swara Salih

But Why Tho? A Geek Community

There’s more I could say about Israelism, but I can only highly recommend you watch it for yourself. [The filmmakers] do a moving job of showcasing growth from the apparent groupthink of their community and how there might be a path forward...

Rated: 10/10

Jun 13, 2024

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Jennie Kermode

Eye for Film

Whilst there are aspects of the Zionist project that the film doesn’t address, it’s fairly well borne out by evidence insofar as it goes.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 10, 2024

Full Review

Stephen Silver

The SS Ben Hecht

This documentary is certainly hit or miss, but it's recommended for those on the opposite political side- and there's no reason for it to be banned from any college campus.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 17, 2024

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Mira Fox

The Forward

Unlike many other documentaries about Israel, Israelism isn’t about the conflict, or at least not exactly. Instead, it considers how American Jewish institutions position Israel, valorizing the IDF and leaving out the darker side of the occupation.

Rated: A-

Aug 2, 2023

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Emmanuel G

An As a good Jew flick.. is really a predictable bashing movie. Lack of understanding and integrity. Token bs

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/12/25

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Manuel S

This movie seeks to bridge a gap. It motivates me to act true to my heart. I definitly recommend watching it. No matter which "side" you count yourself on as it paints a picture of the humanity of both israelites and palestinians alike.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/29/24

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S A

I go into documentaries in general ready to be properly skeptical and frankly, this was both extremely eye-opening and expertly made. You feel as if you're there with the people featured. The best documentary I've seen this year and I fully recommend it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/27/24

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Daniel R

Everyone needs to watch this, especially a Jewish person like myself who grew up in a staunchly pro-Israeli household. It is truly eye-opening and astonishing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/18/24

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andy m

Fascinating film. Explains so much about why things are the way they are. You see, on a very personal level, how authentic activism is born. And you also see the dark side. How lies and myths are perpetuated and the dangerous motivations of those desperate to maintain them.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/14/24

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John R

Finally got round to watching it on YouTube Al Jazeera. Very eye opening. Thank you for putting this together.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/29/24

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Eric Axelman

Director

Sam Eilertsen

Director

Noam Chomsky

Self

Cornel West

Self

Peter Beinart

Self

Jeremy Ben-Ami

Self

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Synopsis

Two young American Jews -- Simone Zimmerman and Eitan -- are raised to defend the state of Israel at all costs. Eitan joins the Israeli military. Simone supports Israel on 'the other battlefield': America's college campuses. When they witness Israel's mistreatment of the Palestinian people with their own eyes, they are horrified and heartbroken. They join the movement of young American Jews battling the old guard over Israel's centrality in American Judaism, and demanding freedom for the Palestinian people. Their stories reveal a generational divide in the American Jewish community as more young Jews question the narratives their synagogues and Hebrew school teachers fed them as children. Israelism is an urgent, crucial examination of how we got here, what the debate in the Jewish community is like at this moment, and where it might go from here.

Director: Eric Axelman, Sam Eilertsen
Producer: Eric Axelman, Daniel J. Chalfen, Nadia Saah
Screenwriter: Eric Axelman, Sam Eilertsen
Distributor: Watermelon Pictures
Production Co: Tikkun Olam Productions
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 7, 2024
Runtime: 1h 24m

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