CMEP has curated a list of movies, documentaries, and books you can use to better understand the Middle East and the regional conflicts. We heavily encourage you to engage in these materials before visiting the region.
Is Peace Possible in the Holy Land? Christian Palestinians Speak; The Justice and Peace Commission
Is Peace Possible? provides a valuable resource for pilgrims, pilgrimage leaders, tourists and anyone seeking to better understand the Christian perspective and experience of those living in the Land where Jesus was born, died and was resurrected. It contains the findings of the Justice and Peace Commission, which functions under the direction of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land. The Assembly was established to foster unity within the Church and serves as as a Catholic resource to further the social mission of the Church. It is composed of the Catholic Ordinaries of the various Rites, who have jurisdiction over the territory of the Holy Land. Is Peace Possible? is a compilation of the Commission’s reports and seeks to share their findings. Our hope is that better understanding can lead to peace.
The Hundred Years War, Rashid Khalidi
Original, authoritative, and important, The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine is not a chronicle of victimization, nor does it whitewash the mistakes of Palestinian leaders or deny the emergence of national movements on both sides. In reevaluating the forces arrayed against the Palestinians, it offers an illuminating new view of a conflict that continues to this day.
Skeptics Guide to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Dale Hanson Bourke
With all of the heat surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, even the most basic facts can be hard to grasp. How do we make sense of what we read in the Bible―and what we read in the news? In this Skeptic’s Guide™, Dale Hanson Bourke sheds light on the places, terms, history, and current issues shaping this important region. Offering an even-handed presentation of a range of views on the most controversial issues, she provides a framework for American Christians to use in understanding why the conflict occurred, why it continues―and what remains to be done.
A Land Full of God: Christian Perspectives Toward the Holy Land, Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, ed.
A collection of essays from Christian leaders with varying views on The Holy Land, peace building, and how US Christians can and should be involved.
Blood Brothers, Elias Chacour
As a child, Elias Chacour lived in a small Palestinian village in Galilee. The townspeople were proud of their ancient Christian heritage and lived at peace with their Jewish neighbors. But early in 1947, their idyllic lifestyle was swept away as tens of thousands of Palestinians were killed and nearly one million forced into refugee camps. An exile in his native land, Elias began a years-long struggle with his love for the Jewish people and the world’s misunderstanding of his own people, the Palestinians. How was he to respond? He found his answer in the simple, haunting words of the Man of Galilee: “Blessed are the peacemakers.” In Blood Brothers, Chacour blends his riveting life story with historical research to reveal a little-known side of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the birth of modern Israel. He touches on controversial questions such as “What behind-the-scenes politics touched off the turmoil in the Middle East? “, “What does Bible prophecy really have to say? “, and “Can bitter enemies ever be reconciled?”
The Lemon Tree: an Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East, Sandy Tolan
In 1967, Bashir Al-Khayri, a Palestinian twenty-five-year-old, journeyed to Israel, with the goal of seeing the beloved old stone house, with the lemon tree behind it, that he and his family had fled nineteen years earlier. To his surprise, when he found the house he was greeted by Dalia Ashkenazi Landau, a nineteen-year-old Israeli college student, whose family fled Europe for Israel following the Holocaust. On the stoop of their shared home, Dalia and Bashir began a rare friendship, forged in the aftermath of war and tested over the next thirty-five years in ways that neither could imagine on that summer day in 1967. Based on extensive research, and springing from his enormously resonant documentary that aired on NPR’s Fresh Air in 1998, Sandy Tolan brings the Israeli-Palestinian conflict down to its most human level, suggesting that even amid the bleakest political realities there exist stories of hope and reconciliation.
Mornings in Jenin, Susan Abulhawa
A Novel – A story about the life of a Palestinian family throughout the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, following their displacement from 1948 until today.
The Israelis: Ordinary People in an Extraordinary Land, Donna Rosenthal
This is a great book to look beyond the politics at the diverse lives, aspirations and challenges of ordinary Israelis.
Dark Hope: Working for Peace in Israel and Palestine, David Shulman
For decades, we’ve been shocked by images of violent clashes between Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. But for all their power, those images leave us at a loss: from our vantage at home, it’s hard for us to imagine the struggles of those living in the midst of the fighting. Now, American-born Israeli David Shulman takes us right into the heart of the conflict with Dark Hope, an eye-opening chronicle of his work as a member of the peace group Ta‘ayush, which takes its name from the Arabic for “living together.”
The Revered Alex Awad has been for few decades engaging Western Christian explaining to them the Arab – Israeli conflict from a Palestinian Christian point of view. He has been able to touch the hearts and minds of tens of thousands of people. This book reflects his heart and mind and makes his arguments accessible to an even-larger audience.
The Land Cries Out: Theology of the Land in the Israeli-Palestinian Context, Salim J. Munayer (Editor), Lisa Loden (Series Editor)
Our theology does not exist in a vacuum but must relate to the world we inhabit and must influence our moral and ethical actions. This is especially true when discussing theology of “the land” in the context of a violent territorial conflict. The Holy Land has seen so much bloodshed that the earth itself is crying out to God. The chapters presented in this book form a unique collection of voices speaking from different perspectives on the issue of the theology of the land. These voices include Messianic Jewish and Palestinian Christian theologians and scholars who live in the Holy Land, as well as others from around the world. The various chapters reflect a wide spectrum of opinion and reveal how much disagreement still exists among followers of Christ. However, the dialogue generated by having these opposing voices side by side, speaking to each other rather than past each other, is encouraging. This book is both challenging and inspirational, and contributes in an innovative way to this important discussion.
Through My Enemy’s Eyes, Salim J. Munayer
This book addresses the universal theological dimension of reconciliation in the context of the Israeli Messianic Jewish and Palestinian Christian divide. Palestinian Christians and Israeli Messianic Jews share a belief in Jesus as the son of God and Messiah. Often, though, that is all they have in common. This remarkable book, written in collaboration by a local Palestinian Christian and an Israeli Messianic Jew, seeks to bridge this gap by addressing head on, divisive theological issues (as well as their political implications) such as land, covenant, prophecy and eschatology which separate their two communities. The struggle for reconciliation is painful and often extremely difficult for all of us. This unique work seeks to show a way forward.
Whose Land? Whose Promise?: What Christians Are Not Being Told about Israel and the Palestinians, Gary M Burge Ph.D.
Because events in the Middle East continue to escalate in tragic complexity, Christians still struggle with making sense of it all. In this updated version of Whose Land? Whose Promise?, Burge further explores the personal emotions and opinions; and sharpens his theological argument in the context of the new developments surrounding the crisis in the Middle East. Whose Land? Whose Promise? offers insight for the thoughtful reader on an explosive topic and challenges personal truths on peace.
I Am a Palestinian Christian, Mitri Raheb
A personal testimony of God and politics in the Holy Land. Mitri Raheb is a Palestinian Arab Lutheran Christian pastor who ministers in his hometown of Bethlehem. For many American Christians this combination of identities is incomprehensible. They assume that Palestinian Arabs are Muslims, not Christians, much less Lutherans. Raheb writes as a cultural mediator to the Western Christian world and as a local theologian for the Palestinian community. He grapples with how Palestinian Christians can develop a local theology that can be both truthful and helpful in mediating the conflicts between Israel and Palestine and among Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Both are conflicts in which religion, politics, and collective identity intertwine.
Righteous Victims: A History of the Zionist-Arab Conflict, 1881-1999, Benny Morris
Righteous Victims, by the noted historian Benny Morris, is a comprehensive and objective history of the long battle between Arabs and Jews for possession of a land they both call home. It appears at a most timely juncture, as the bloody and protracted struggle seems at last to be headed for resolution.
Churches for Middle East Peace
CMEP works to encourage U.S. policies that actively promote a just, lasting, and comprehensive resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, ensuring security, human rights and religious freedom for all the people of the region.
“We are a movement of young Christians in their 20s and 30s dedicated to designing and implementing a national campaign for peace and justice in the Holy Land. Our mission is to promote a holistic understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict within U.S. communities by creating space for dialogue and advocating for both Israelis and Palestinians who are pursuing peace and justice in the Holy Land.”
Violence and chaos in the Middle East have left many around the world hopeless and feeling helpless. As followers of Jesus, we refuse to be sidetracked by the temptation to despair. Prayers for Peace (P4P) provides a way for Christians of diverse political and theological backgrounds to stand up for peace and unite in supplication to God with a special focus on prayers for the Holy Land. Prayers for Peace provides Jesus’ followers with the common language of prayer around which to mobilize their energy and passion for the land that gave birth to our faith. To combat the prevailing images of discord, Prayers for Peace will highlight peace-building organizations that we may pray for them as they live out the reconciliation offered in the Prophets and Jesus’ message of shalom.
A group of Israeli Messianic Jewish and Palestinian Christian women.
Israeli Newspaper
Jerusalem Newspaper
“+972 Magazine is a blog-based web magazine that is jointly owned by a group of journalists, bloggers and photographers whose goal is to provide fresh, original, on-the-ground reporting and analysis of events in Israel and Palestine. Our collective is committed to human rights and freedom of information, and we oppose the occupation. However, +972 Magazine does not represent any organization, political party or specific agenda.”
Israel Fast Facts– CNN Library
Everything You Need to Know About Israel-Palestine– Edited by Zack Beauchamp
Gaza Situation Report 187– UNRWA
Israel-Palestinian conflict: Is one homeland the solution?– Samuel Thrope
Hands on the Switch – GISHA
The Costs of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict – C. Ross Anthony, Daniel Egel, Charles P. Ries, Craig Bond, Andrew Liepman, Jeffrey Martini, Steven Simon, Shira Efron, Bradley D. Stein, Lynsay Ayer, Mary E. Vaiana
Power Shortages Leave Gaza in the Dark– Khalil Hamra and Fares Akram.
The Gaza Cheat Sheet – Real Data on the Gaza Closure– GISHA
The Last Nail in Bethlehem’s Coffin: The Annexation Wall in Cremisan – The Society of St. Yves – Catholic Center for Human Rights
Lights for Gaza and the Darkness of Lent– Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon
Bethlehem Bible College Joins Ecumenical Gathering of Peace– Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon
Is UN The Anti-Christ? No, But Settlements Are Detrimental To Peace– Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon
5 Broken Cameras: An enlightening documentary sharing some serious eye-opening truths about journalism and its suppression.
Budrus : A beautiful film about nonviolent Palestinian resistance and solidarity expressions by Israeli activists, with a positive message and example to our societies. Palestinian community organizer Ayed Morrar and his daughter Iltezam unite local Fatah and Hamas members along with Israeli supporters in an unarmed movement to save their village of Budrus from destruction by Israel’s Separation Barrier. Budrus won over 20 awards internationally and was hailed by the New York Times as the “must-see documentary of the year.”
Promises: A documentary that follows the lives of Palestinian and Israeli kids, and what happens to them when they grow up in conflict.
The Gatekeepers: A documentary featuring interviews with all surviving former heads of Shin Bet, the Israeli security agency whose activities and membership are closely held state secrets.
Omar: A love story amidst the occupation and working within a system of collaboration and manipulation.
Little Town of Bethlehem: ares the gripping story of three men, born into violence, willing to risk everything to bring an end to violence in their lifetime. A Christian, a Muslim, and a Jew-shaped by events of their Palestinian and Israeli upbringing-find inspiration in the words and actions of Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi. Sami, Ahmad, and Yonatan believe that violence can indeed be stopped but recognize their own struggles will remain. Yet they will struggle together to discover a common humanity through non-violent action. In the city of Bethlehem where it is said God became man, these men stand alongside others whose central desire is to be accepted and treated as fully human. Their story brings fresh hope to the ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel while taking a stand against violence throughout the world.
The Wanted 18: Humorous and thought-provoking, The Wanted 18 shows the power of mass mobilization and nonviolent resistance to the Israeli occupation during the First Intifada – an era too-often simplistically depicted with stone-throwing Palestinian youth facing armed soldiers. This is a poignant film about nation-building from the bottom up, by the people not the politicians.
My Neighborhood: Only 25 minutes long, this short film tells the story of a young Palestinian boy. Mohammed El Kurd is a Palestinian boy growing up in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah. His family loses half of their home to Israeli settlers leading a campaign of court-sanctioned evictions to guarantee Jewish control of the area. This Peabody Award-winning film captures voices rarely heard, of those striving for a shared future in the city.
Home Front: A series of four short films chronicling the resolve of a Palestinian neighborhood in East Jerusalem, where families are struggling to keep their homes in the face of escalating Israeli settlement expansion. Residents are surprised when support comes from the most unexpected of places. Richard Branson called Home Front “films that make a difference.”
Encounter Point: A story of everyday leaders who refuse to sit back as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict escalates. Encounter Point follows a former Israeli settler, a Palestinian ex-prisoner, a bereaved Israeli mother and a wounded Palestinian bereaved brother who risk everything to promote a future of freedom, dignity, security and peace for everyone in the region.
Israel- Charlie Rose:A discussion about the future of U.S. policy in the Middle East and the changing dynamics of Israel, with guest host Dan Senor, NYU professor Shimon Dotan, and Daniel Gordis, a professor at Shalem College in Jerusalem.
Rick Steves’ The Holy Land: Israelis and Palestinians Today:This hour-long special weaves together both the Israeli and the Palestinian narratives. In Israel, we go from the venerable ramparts of Jerusalem to the vibrant modern skyline of Tel Aviv. In Palestine, we harvest olives near Hebron, visit a home in Bethlehem, and pop into a university in Ramallah. We also learn about security walls, disputed settlements, and the persistent challenges facing the region.
Cries from Syria- HBO:A harrowing exploration of the humanitarian crisis in Syria and the devastating civil war that has defined the country over the last five years.
Finding Jesus- CNN: Finding Jesus discovers fascinating new insights into the historical Jesus, utilizing the latest scientific techniques and archaeological research.
The Stones Cry Out – Voices of the Palestinian Christians: Christianity was born in Palestine two thousand years ago. From there it spread throughout the Middle East and to the rest of the world. Yet many are unaware Christians still live in the land. For more than 60 years the Palestinians, Christians and Muslims, have suffered displacement, expulsion, wars, occupation and oppression. The voices of Palestinian Christians have all too often been drowned out in the turmoil of events. This is their story, in their voices, from the Nakba of 1948 until today.
Love Your Enemies: Daoud Nassar is an Arab Palestinian Christian who lives on a small farm outside of Bethlehem. Each summer he hosts a creative arts camp for refugee children and teaches them to strive for peace in this region. Matt Carter interviews Daoud about his land, the difficulties he and his family are facing, and how his faith has characterized his life in tumultuous times.
Amreeka: A drama centered on the trials and tribulations of a proud Palestinian Christian immigrant single mother and her teenage son in small town Indiana.
Denied Entry: Israel has started to deny entry to ethnic Palestinians with foreign passports. This is a film looking at this latest discriminatory policy through the eyes of a Palestinian American businessman and his young family.
Epicenter:This documentary is based on the New York Times best-selling book Epicenter by Joel C. Rosenberg. Filmed on location in the Middle East, Joel C. Rosenberg and Skip Heitzig conduct exclusive interviews with a variety of key leaders from military, government, business, and Christian ministry, as well as skeptics and critics of evangelical Christian views of the “last days.” These interviews will give a historical context and a foundation for how current events will shape our future. With growing interest in prophecy, this documentary will answer questions such as “Are we living in the last days?”
Jimmy Carter, Man from Plains: In 2006, President Jimmy Carter tours the U.S. promoting his provocative “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.” Demme’s camera follows Carter from city to city, home to Plains (population 635), visiting a Habitat for Humanity site in New Orleans, and talking on radio and TV with Teri Gross, Charlie Rose, Diane Rehm, Jay Leno, Larry King, Wolf Blitzer, Tavis Smiley, and Al Jazeera and Israeli pundits, discussing Palestine’s plight and the policies of Israel. Critics speak as well. Between events, Carter talks about Camp David, recent travels, being married, speaking Spanish, and wisdom he learned from Rachel Clark, his nanny. A montage of speeches, awards, and travels ends the film.
Occupied Minds: Occupied Minds is the story of two journalists, Jamal Dajani, a Palestinian-American and David Michaelis, an Israeli, who journey to Jerusalem, their mutual birthplace, to explore new solutions and offer unique insights into the divisive Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The film takes viewers on an emotional and intensely personal odyssey through the streets of one of the world’s most volatile regions. Among the myriad of voices Dajani and Michaelis hear from are: a wanted Palestinian gunman, an Israeli soldier breaking the silence about his service, an Israeli surgeon who lost his eyesight in a suicide bombing, an Israeli mother who lost her son in the conflict, and a Palestinian activist. As Dajani and Michaelis make their way through the many worlds that make up contemporary Israel and Palestine, they struggle to find lasting solutions to what others believe may be a never-ending conflict.
Palestinian Strings: A documentary about dreams, hope and music. It is the world seen through the eyes of a Christian-Palestinian young man with a dream made of music, in a part of the world where dreams are really needed.
This is My Land…Hebron: Hebron is the largest city in the middle of the occupied West Bank, 30 kilometers south of Jerusalem. Hebron is famous as a holy city, a place of pilgrimage for the Jews, Christians and Muslims because Abraham, the forefather of the three most important monotheistic religions, is buried there. Today Hebron is a city of violence and hate.
Disturbing the Peace: Disturbing the Peace is about people born into conflict, sworn to be enemies, who challenged their fate. The film follows everyday people who took extraordinary actions by standing for what they believe in, just like those who came before them – Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and many others whose names we don’t know. The movie challenges all of us- to understand the understand the narratives we live within, to look at our current roles in our societies, and to decide what role we are doing to play in creating a more humane world, for all. And it all starts with our willingness to disturb the peace.
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