GUESTS: Stephen Apkon, director of "Disturbing the Peace," a documentary about former enemy combatants, Israeli soldiers and Palestinian fighters, who are working together to end the occupation. He is joined by Sulaiman Khatib and Assaf Yacobovitz.
"Disturbing the Peace" plays an interesting role in promoting understanding between Palestinians and Israelis. On a personal level it must work as these previous enemies sit down and listen to each other's stories.
If the stories are too personal, however, apartheid Israel gets a big break. We don't end up talking about the illegal settlements, the racist laws, and the 60 year history of ethnic cleansing of Palestine. When does personal understanding simply normalize the Israel's war crimes?
I asked this question of Stephen and he gave a spirited response. He stated that one has to start somewhere or the killing will continue forever. I would prefer a start that included America, the enabler of Israel's apartheid state. Americans need to know their role in the suffering in order to resist what our own government is doing. When it is all over, there will be time for hugs and tears.
