Gaza Strip (2002) NR - 3 Stars

Gaza Strip - An eye opener. You hear about it all the time on the news. Do you know exactly where it is on a map? Well If the globe were blank, I wouldn't have known where to draw it in but, now after seeing the documentary, I know exactly where it is. It's a 26 mile long, one mile wide strip of land that borders Israel on the North and Egypt on the South and the Mediterranean Sea on the East. 1.2 million Palestinian people live here with a 1/3 of them forced from their homes, living in refugee camps . The West Bank has a buffer zone for Israel that has been closing in and bulldozing the people from their lands. With Israel controlling the borders, roads, seaports, airports, electrical, water and mail, these people have no say in what is happening to them. Any traveling must be done along the coastline only.

The film focuses on the Palestinian Intifada and it's effects on the people from Israeli occupation. It's shown partly from the eyes of a 13 year old boy named Mohammad, who travels to the Karin crossing almost daily to throw stones at the Israel troupes. His father's in prison and Mohammad supports his family by selling newspapers. The one thing I am always so shocked to see is so many children involved in affairs of war instead of just being kids. Mohammad has lost most of his friends to bullets and his heart is full of hate. His people blame Great Britain and the United States, the great "Super Powers", for not coming to their aide. The weapons of the Palestinians are meager in comparison to what Israel uses against them. Israeli armies also attack with tear and nerve gas, causing severe nerve damage and pain.

We tend to only hear about stone throwing and suicide bombings making the Palestinian people out to be terrorists. I'm glad I watched this documentary so I could get a better picture of what life really is like living in the Gaza Strip. With their land stolen, and treated like they just don't matter, these people face a genocide that is reminiscent of what the Nazi's did to the Jews. I don't believe we hear much about that part in the news. I recommend viewing this film so you know the whole truth.

Arab Film Distribution, Littleredbottom.com
Director: James Longley
Producer: James Longley, Mohammed Mohanna

I viewed 11/08