A documentary follows Israeli settlers and nearby Palestinians who attempt to bring their communities together for peace
One of the more interesting slogans that emerged from this summer's Israel social justice protest movement was "Jews and Arabs Refuse to be Enemies." Although this looks good on a poster, how realistic is it on the ground, particularly in the West Bank? In these disputed territories, Jewish settlers and Palestinian Arabs continue to be locked in a struggle for their countries' futures.
Frustrated with the lack of progress from direct negotiations with Israel, the Palestinian Authority has petitioned the United Nations for recognition as a member state. The Israeli government, as if acting out a part in a tragedy that has already been written, vigorously opposed what they termed a "unilateral" act and has dug in its heels. The Palestinians are not backing down either, even in the face of U.S. opposition to their UN bid, including cutting off $200 million in humanitarian aid to the Palestinians by the U.S. Congress.
As the extended diplomatic confrontation continues unabated, the mood on the ground is becoming increasingly tense, the negotiations between Israel and Hamas that led to the successful return of Gilad Shalit notwithstanding. A recent spate of mosque desecrations has now spread from the West Bank to Israel proper; the threat of possible Palestinian demonstrations looms. It is against this backdrop of increasing tensions that a nascent movement of Israeli settlers and Palestinians has come together to explore ways to communicate and co-exist. But their movement, which they call the "third way," is now struggling for its very existence.