Walk On Water
Hi! I am a Canadian high school student currently taking several courses in world issues, politics, history, etc. Although I'm not Jewish/Israeli/Muslim/Arabic myself (although my dad is Jewish and so are a lot of my friends & extended family), I wanted to join this community because I've recently been studying the Middle East and have found that I'm really interested in the topic. Is that alright?? I wasn't sure who this community was for or if it had any restrictions...if so, please let me know and I'll delete my post.
A few days ago I watched an Israeli film called Walk On Water. I'm don't know if anyone here has seen it (if you haven't, I highly recommend it!) but there was one scene which jumped out at me in particular: an Israeli Mossad agent (played by Lior Ashkenazi) disguised as a tour guide is driving two Germans - who are the grandchildren of some Nazi war criminal - around Jerusalem. One of them has an Arab-Israeli friend with him and asks if they can give him a ride. The agent says sure, but when he learns where the man lives (obviously an Arab neighborhood) he is clearly not so excited about the idea. Then, when one of the Germans makes a sympathetic comment about the poor Arab shopkeepers they see on the street, the agent goes off on this rampage in Hebrew. The Germans can't understand him, but the friend does, and looks really offended.
I was wondering if anyone knew whether or not this frequently happens in Israel? I don't think its surprising at all for Israelis to be cautious - even annoyed and down right contemptuous - towards the Palestinians, but are Arab-Israelis ever sort of caught in the cross fire? Are they segregated or prejudiced against? Does anyone live in Israel or have experience traveling there, and might know the answer? I'm not really trying to make a point either way, I was just wondering. Anyway, thanks so much for reading. I hope you all have a happy new year! :-)
A few days ago I watched an Israeli film called Walk On Water. I'm don't know if anyone here has seen it (if you haven't, I highly recommend it!) but there was one scene which jumped out at me in particular: an Israeli Mossad agent (played by Lior Ashkenazi) disguised as a tour guide is driving two Germans - who are the grandchildren of some Nazi war criminal - around Jerusalem. One of them has an Arab-Israeli friend with him and asks if they can give him a ride. The agent says sure, but when he learns where the man lives (obviously an Arab neighborhood) he is clearly not so excited about the idea. Then, when one of the Germans makes a sympathetic comment about the poor Arab shopkeepers they see on the street, the agent goes off on this rampage in Hebrew. The Germans can't understand him, but the friend does, and looks really offended.
I was wondering if anyone knew whether or not this frequently happens in Israel? I don't think its surprising at all for Israelis to be cautious - even annoyed and down right contemptuous - towards the Palestinians, but are Arab-Israelis ever sort of caught in the cross fire? Are they segregated or prejudiced against? Does anyone live in Israel or have experience traveling there, and might know the answer? I'm not really trying to make a point either way, I was just wondering. Anyway, thanks so much for reading. I hope you all have a happy new year! :-)