Arts & Events

“Jerusalem: the East Side Story” 

a film by Mohammed Alatar 

Friday May 7 at 7 pm 

Fellowship Hall, 1924 Cedar, at Bonita  

Fourth in Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists’ 

Palestine film series: 

“Palestine: Occupied Lives, Non-Violence and Steadfastness”  

Donation appreciated: no one turned away for lack of funds 

Wheelchair accessible 

To benefit the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund  

In 1948, the western part of Jerusalem fell under Israeli control; in 1967, the eastern part fell under Israeli occupation. Since then, Israel has pursued a policy of Judaizing the city, aiming to achieve “Jewish demographic superiority.” Part of this policy is to drive out Palestinian Muslims and Christians, denying their presence, history, and ties to the land.  

Israel has constructed a ring of Jewish settlements that cuts Jerusalem—the center of Palestinians’ religious, cultural, and economic life—from the rest of the West Bank. The film shows the effects of these policies on Palestinians. Families watch in desperation as giant bulldozers demolish their home. Some live in tents across from their homes, evicted to make room for Jewish settlers. Crowds tussle to obtain permits to go worship at Al Aksa mosque, the Muslim heart of Jerusalem. The many who fail to obtain permits on time pray in the streets. Families are separated by an absurd system of permits. 

The film includes interviews with Palestinian and Israeli leaders, human rights activists and political analysts. 

Co-Sponsors: American Friends Service Committee, Arab Film Festival, BFUU-Social Justice Committee, Ecumenical Peace Institute, Fr. Bill O'Donnell Social Justice Committee of St. Joseph the Worker, Flashpoints (KPFA), International Solidarity Movement, Jewish Voice for Peace, Middle East Children Alliance, Students for Justice in Palestine-UCB  

A discussion will follow the film. It will be led by Palestinian-American Nabil Wahbeh, who is from Jerusalem and had to leave following Israel’s conquest of East Jerusalem in 1967.