http://movies.yahoo.com/news/palestinian-activists-seek-derail-major-jerusalem-film-172441620.htmlPalestinian activists seek to derail major Jerusalem film
Crispian Balmer
April 19, 2013
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Palestinian activists tried to derail an ambitious European documentary shot in Jerusalem this week, complaining that the film would reinforce an image of Israeli sovereignty over the deeply divided city.
Producers of the Franco-German "24h Jerusalem", which sets out to depict a day-in-the-life of the troubled city, said on Friday that their plans had been badly disrupted by a last minute campaign of "intimidation and harassment".
"We very much regret what has happened, but we are still here and we will carry on shooting," said producer Thomas Kufus, hoping to recapture the success of his ground-breaking 2008 project - the day-long "24h Berlin" film.
One of the co-producers, Germany's Bayerischer Rundfunk, said their staff had faced an "onslaught of menacing calls" and threats to "inflict bodily harm", accusing Palestinian activists of trying to prevent Arabs from telling their stories.
With some 70 camera crews working across the city from 6.00 a.m. on Thursday to 6.00 a.m. on Friday, the project is one of the most ambitious documentaries ever shot in Jerusalem and had the blessing of the local Israeli authorities.
However, some Palestinian politicians and militants accused the filmmakers of failing to coordinate properly with their own authorities and said the film would present a united Jerusalem under full Israeli control.
Israelis seized East Jerusalem in the 1967 war, later annexing the land and pronouncing the city as their undivided capital in a move that has never been internationally endorsed.
Palestinians want to establish a capital of their own in East Jerusalem, including the Old City and its holy shrines.
WITHDRAWAL
"This is not one city, it is two cities," said Dimitri Diliani, spokesman in East Jerusalem for the Fatah party of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who holds sway in Palestinian self-rule areas of the nearby West Bank.
"The whole idea of accepting the occupiers' claims that this is one city is totally wrong. This has political ramifications," he told Reuters. He denied accusations that opponents of the film had threatened any of those involved.
The producers said a handful of Palestinian cameramen and technicians had dropped out just before shooting started. More damagingly, some of the Palestinian locals they had hoped to feature in the film had withdrawn at the last minute.
"We have very strong material from the Israeli and European teams ... The Palestinians are still shooting, so we are very much working on having an equal standard in this project," said Kufus, conceding that this meant the documentary would not be filmed over a single 24-hour period as originally hoped.
The spat over the documentary, which is part-funded by the Arte television channel, has highlighted fierce opposition within some Palestinian quarters to anything that might smack of a "normalization" of Israeli control.
Cultural events, such as a U.N.-backed concert last July, have had to be abandoned in the face of pressure from activists who say any efforts to build bridges between communities should be resisted until the Israeli occupation ends.
Kufus said the problems he had faced with his film showed the ever-present tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.
"They just cannot work together. It is impossible," he said, adding: "Everything that happens here is connected to the conflict, especially on the Palestinian side."
(Editing by Mark Heinrich)
109 comments
Popular NowNewest Oldest Most Replied
50users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down12users disliked this commentPhillip • 7 hours ago Report Abuse
"intimidation and harassment" is all the Islamic terrorists have. It's their only claim to any legitimate power. If you don't believe that, look at the Sunni#$%$ relationship. Even with no participation by any other nation they still kill each other every day.
7 Replies
3users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down5users disliked this commentMooj • 5 hours ago Report Abuse
Tell us Phillip, how do you explain the Christians who won't cooperate with the film?
2users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down2users disliked this commentJustice • 5 hours ago Report Abuse
Simple, they are brainwashed hypocrites.
1users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down5users disliked this commentMooj • 5 hours ago Report Abuse
Christians are brainwashed hypocrites, very nice Justice!
1users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down1users disliked this commentJustice • 4 hours ago Report Abuse
If you say so, I was only talking about the "christians" who won't cooperate with the film because they don't believe in freedom of speech. However, I agree with you.
2users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down5users disliked this commentJAMESD • 4 hours ago Report Abuse
Let us all work to get the jews off of stolen land.
3users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down0users disliked this commentJustice • 3 hours ago Report Abuse
Another ignorant bigot with a computer! Congrats James you pathetic, childish idiot!
4users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down0users disliked this commentPhillip • 3 hours ago Report Abuse
Jerusalem was built by Israel and was the national capitol for 3000 years or something like that. The Pals have only existed for less than 100 years. So, whose city is it?
Leave a comment... Comment Guidelines
Post As
68users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down15users disliked this comment101 • 8 hours ago Report Abuse
Jerusalem was never a capital of any arab of muslim cultures. The only time the muslims became interested in Jerusalem as their capital when it became Jewish capital.
11 Replies
11users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down1users disliked this commentMIKE • 8 hours ago Report Abuse
so true
2users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down13users disliked this commentMahmood Ali • 8 hours ago Report AbuseSo, false.
Comment hidden due to low rating. Show Comment
11users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down3users disliked this commentThePersian • 8 hours ago Report Abuse
Its been Jewish capital for 3,200 years
7users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down2users disliked this commentCherylM • 7 hours ago Report Abuse
Amen brother
7users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down2users disliked this commentCherylM • 7 hours ago Report Abuse
Amen to 101's comment.
10users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down1users disliked this commentCommon Sense • 7 hours ago Report Abuse
Mahmood, you're a bad muslim, not knowing your history. There are many recorded instances of Imams and arab political leaders acknowledging that Jerusalem holds no special place for Islam.
0users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down0users disliked this commentMarkS • 6 hours ago Report Abuse
It's dangerous when Americans learn history from the pulpit.
0users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down2users disliked this commentMooj • 5 hours ago Report Abuse
101, CherylM, etc. you can't prove any of that with actual historical facts. Try sticking to the facts, lying only hurts your position more.
1users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down3users disliked this commentDavid • 3 hours ago Report Abuse
One episode during the Crusades--two "Christian" armies were about to conquer Jerusalem and got into a dispute over which one should get credit, forcing a delay that allowed the moslem armies to bring in reinforcements, so that the Christian attack failed. The point is not whether Jerusalem was an... More
2users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down0users disliked this commentBig Daddy • 2 hours 17 minutes ago Report Abuse
@ Mooj. Here are some historical facts:
•When Jews pray they face Jerusalem; in Jerusalem Israelis pray facing the Temple Mount.
•When Muslims pray, they face Mecca; in Jerusalem Muslims pray with their backs to the city.... More
More
Leave a comment... Comment Guidelines
Post As
55users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down12users disliked this commentBooboo • 8 hours ago Report Abuse
Palestinians up to it again, I feel bad for Israel,now what happen in boston is what Israel has to put up with every day, do what we did Israel go take them out don't let them keep bombing your land ,we don't put up with it here in America as you can see,so do the same and protect yourselves
7 Replies
33users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down6users disliked this commentMike • 8 hours ago Report Abuse
"a handful of Palestinian cameramen and technicians had dropped out just before shooting started". No wonder they lost all the wars...
3 Replies
51users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down13users disliked this commentThomas H • 8 hours ago Report Abuse
Because the "palestinian" have an abhorrence of the truth
12 Replies
46users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down13users disliked this commentBart C • 8 hours ago Report Abuse
OMG what if the world finds out the truth about the lying palestinians. That would be horrible for the muslim murderers and terrorists
2 Replies
16users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down2users disliked this commentCaptain Obvious • 7 hours ago Report Abuse
The film would present a united Jerusalem under full Israeli control? Then it would be an accurate film.
Reply
43users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down14users disliked this commentRosefluo • 8 hours ago Report Abuse
Palestinian activists does not sit well as far as accurate terminology , Palestinian terrorist is a bit more accurate , but Reuters.....
8 Replies
18users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down6users disliked this commentBazza • 7 hours ago Report Abuse
whether the arabs like it or not, israel does have sovereignty over jerusalem. however, contrary to when the arabs ruled the city, people of all faiths can practice their religion there.
4 Replies
25users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down6users disliked this commentBo'i • 8 hours ago Report Abuse
Eh, they have nothing better to do, those 'activists'.....it would be too much trouble to actually build a viable institution as a prelude to a future 'state', and the welfare $ might shrink......
Reply
17users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down5users disliked this commentTHE REV. • 6 hours ago Report Abuse
How can a Religion who honors a God of Peace. Pray 5 times a day be so full of evil and hate. Why because they are forced to pray, or else. It don't come from the heart. It is a forced religion. Allah is not the same God Almighty Christians have. Allah does not recognize Jesus as his Son.... More
5 Replies
30users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down9users disliked this commentElizabeth • 7 hours ago Report Abuse
Motto of Islam: when lying fails, resort to threats and intimidation.
8 Replies
33users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down12users disliked this commentBart C • 8 hours ago Report Abuse
Can't blame the palestinians. When Jerusalem was under muslim control they used the Christian and Jewish holy sites as a trash dump. Of course anyplace the palestinians live is a trash dump by virtue of its residents
2 Replies
17users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down7users disliked this commentM. • 8 hours ago Report Abuse
meanwhile, ISRAEL IS A SOVERIEGN COUNTRY!
4 Replies
17users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down4users disliked this commentBarnett • 8 hours ago Report Abuse
After Boston.....this Christian will do everything I can to support my brother's in Israel. I even cut a check to AIPAC today - hoping that some of the money will end up killing an Islami-Savage in ALL OF OUR NAMES. Count me - just the next Christian Zionist. I oppose Islam to my core. I will... More
4 Replies
10users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down5users disliked this commentViva-Suriname • 4 hours ago Report Abuse
Before 1967 war West bank residents had Jordanian passport Gazan-s had Egyptians .
3 Replies
15users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down5users disliked this commentGlaeken • 7 hours ago Report Abuse
Wow, the fake "palestinians" were harassing and threatening people again? Who'd a thunk it??
Reply
18users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down5users disliked this commentMIKE • 8 hours ago Report Abuse
arabs..you LOST the war (and the war and the war and the war)....just accept it and try to get on with your ugly lives and try to make life better for your children....or don't you love your children?
1 Reply
13users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down6users disliked this commentCB • 7 hours ago Report Abuse
Intimidation and Harassment is what is listed on their business cards.....
1 Reply
2users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down0users disliked this commentMe • 3 hours ago Report Abuse
Better he should expend the energy extolling the virtues of truth and compromise...
Reply
1users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down0users disliked this commentJNC • 6 hours ago Report Abuse
So tired of the PC police. They exist on EVERY continent.
Reply
6users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down4users disliked this commentFit2print • 6 hours ago Report Abuse
It's funny anti Israel films (five broken cameras) are made by israel state money, because its a freedom. Now look at the other way of doing things. Stark contrast no?
Reply
15users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down5users disliked this commentDonna • 7 hours ago Report Abuse
Oh those silly Pali's at it again. Start working and stop meddling.
Reply
16users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down5users disliked this commentRichard C. • 8 hours ago Report Abuse
Jerusalem does not belong to the "Palestinians" nor will it ever. Jerusalem is Israel's eternal capitol.
The Temple Mount will soon be back under full Israeli control, as it should have been all along. The third temple is coming ....
2 Replies
7users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down3users disliked this commentViva-Suriname • 4 hours ago Report Abuse
If you want to know which side connected to Jerusalem exam the national anthem of Israel and the PLO . One of them was written in 1877 and the last phrase in it is "The land of Zion and Jerusalem."
The Palestinian National anthem was written in 1988 . It was written by Said Al Mozayen (aka... More
Reply
11users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down4users disliked this commentCharlie B • 7 hours ago Report Abuse
Hmm... the Palestinians using intimidation and harassment to derail a film on Jerusalem which was being done by people not known for their support for Israel (in fact, they have been known to favor the Palestinians). But, instead of voicing their objections through proper channels, they use their... More
1 Reply
12users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down4users disliked this commentCommon Sense • 7 hours ago Report Abuse
Typical of Palestinians, rather than trying to make a case for their (incorrect) position, they default to the only thing they know - violence, intimidation, etc. I'm surprised they didn't try to kill the film crew. As most things when it comes to the reality of the Palestinian question, if they... More
1 Reply
2users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down0users disliked this commentA Yahoo! User • 14 minutes ago
The more the world tries to accomodate Palestinians and pretend that most of their grievances don't stem from self-inflicted wounds caused by their aggressive, racist attitudes towards other ethnic groups and religions in a place where they are all bound to mix,
the more they show everyone why... More
Reply
6users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down2users disliked this commentGM • 3 hours ago Report Abuse
Yet, Israel IS a soveriegn nation, no matter what anyone else would LIKE to think.
Reply
3users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down2users disliked this commentJohn • 3 hours ago Report Abuse
Typical of the region...no one can agree on anything but to hate each other
Reply
6users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down4users disliked this commentOatsangroats • 3 hours ago Report Abuse
Israel Yesterday
Israel Today... More
2 Replies
13users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down6users disliked this commentHardcore Freedom • 7 hours ago Report Abuse
Muslims demanding censorship.
Well, that's just shocking. /sarcasm
1 Reply
12users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down4users disliked this commentDavid • 8 hours ago Report Abuse
The Pals will never have East Jerusalem!!!!!
1 Reply
3users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down3users disliked this commentDeutscher • 6 hours ago Report Abuse
Bet they didn't get any harassment from the Israelis. Keep on shooting. No, really. Keep on SHOOTING!
Reply
5users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down2users disliked this commentGeorge Z • 5 hours ago Report Abuse
if that land were occupied by mexicans, mormons, chinese etc... The Palestinians wouldn't care. there would be no news there. when you have kids in Palestianian schools where the questions are "if you have 10 jews and kill 2 of them, how many do you have left?", then yeah, there's a problem
Reply
4users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down4users disliked this commentVeritas Anon • 4 hours ago Report Abuse
#$%$ shut up and go home to Jordan and Egypt. Enough of your whining and lies.
1 Reply
8users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down0users disliked this commentDmitriy • 7 hours ago Report Abuse
Palashits
1 Reply
4users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down2users disliked this commentHa • 2 hours 11 minutes ago Report Abuse
Death threats by Muslims for views that offends Muslims? That probably the best reason why a city like Jerusalem, holy to different faiths, should remain firmly out of Muslim hands.
1 Reply
2users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down2users disliked this commentOatsangroats • 3 hours ago Report Abuse
"The Sword of Islam" is not called "The Sword of Islam" without a reason. Islam cannot add to its pagan, troublesome and BLOODY ranks the world over, without the threat of violence and death to a man's family starting with his dog, then his kids, then his wife, then he himself.......unless he... More
Reply
15users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down3users disliked this commentJames E • 9 hours ago Report Abuse
Jersualem is united. And it is under full Israeli control. So what they are doing is trying to keep the truth hidden.
Having said the above, the Palestinians claim soverignty of Jerusalem themselves - but they certainly do not have actual control of the city.
Reply
9users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down2users disliked this commentZac • 6 hours ago Report Abuse
Palestinian activists aka muslim terrorists
Reply
9users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down4users disliked this commentPauls • 6 hours ago Report Abuse
the holy sites remain because they are in jewish hands
Reply
12users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down4users disliked this commentConnor • 6 hours ago Report Abuse
Jerusalem is a united city, founded and built by the Hebrews more than 3,000 years ago. Palestinians have Ramallah as their capitol and no one is looking to share that.
Reply
6users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down3users disliked this commentProphetS • 5 hours ago Report Abuse
WARNING to Muslims: Your Quran mentions NOTHING about Jerusalem. Stop foiling and interfering with God's plan for the Jews and Jerusalem. NOTHING good will come out of your hate, intolerance, interference, bigotry and lies. NOTHING! You only bring CURSES onto yourselves. Remember NO JERUSALEM in... More
2 Replies
10users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down3users disliked this commentJimmy • 7 hours ago Report Abuse
What I find interesting, is that these film-makers are trying to film what is ACTUALLY going on. What they film is real and shows the reality, which is that Jerusalem is clearly an Israeli city. The Palestinian activists that are threatening them are really just trying to shut out the Israeli... More
2 Replies
9users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down2users disliked this commentRichard C. • 7 hours ago Report Abuse
The "Palestinians" are not even a legitimate people but a created entity, it's Arab (mainly Jordanian) peoples, squatting on Israeli land. Even the supposed leader of the "Palestinian" people, Yasser Arafat, was Egyptian. The whole "Palestinian" argument is a joke.
Judea and Samaria... More
2 Replies
5users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down2users disliked this commentJeffrey • 1 hour 11 minutes ago Report Abuse
The truth hurts???
1 Reply
2users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down2users disliked this commentDeserteagle • 1 hour 13 minutes ago Report Abuse
Christian and Jewish
Reply
3users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down2users disliked this commentQuestioner • 4 hours ago Report Abuse
I'm sorry that the author of the article refers to the Palestinians as "militants." I think anyone who plants (or shoots) bombs or rockets at civilians--in Boston, Israel, or wherever--should properly be referred to as "terrorists.
1 Reply
9users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down2users disliked this commentVicki S • 7 hours ago Report Abuse
aren't the pals amusing?!
1 Reply