Israelism

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Israelism

2023

1h 24m

Documentary

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4 Reviews

93%

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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

Full Review

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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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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Audience Member

We in America don’t get to see the Palestinian perspective and this explains why. It’s shocking to me that one human can treat another human this way. Never again means never again for anyone.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/28/24

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Gerald L

No child either side is born a murderer. It's society that turns the child into one. Simone Zimmerman's team help us understand this. Brave dialogues like theirs are essential. Only then can we offer change and build robust frameworks of governance that then can help us to become better people.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/23/24

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N B

An eye-opening documentary a must watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/03/24

Full Review

john a

I'm not sure why there are so many positive reviews, though I'm thinking they were all written at the same time and probably by the friends of the people who put this together. I did want to know more about the conflict. I'm not Jewish or Palestinian. But this was poorly pieced together. Amateurish. I'm studying philosophy. And there's nothing that really makes you think. Though I'm wondering if the people in it have something against their families. Some kind of deep resentment. So I got out and researched, since this film just showed the side of some sad people (who produced it)...and I found myself on the Israeli side. lol. Not sure that's what was meant. But really taken back by it.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/07/24

Full Review

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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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