The Leeds Palestinian Film Festival provides an opportunity to find out about the Palestine Israel conflict from various angles – and with stories that are rarely told in the mainstream media.
Last year we took the step of sponsoring a film called ‘Voices Across the Divide – with voices of Palestinian and Jewish people who had mainly emigrated to the USA. We showed the film in Wheeler Hall of Leeds cathedral and straight afterwards Commission Chair, John Battle, chaired a discussion about the issues raised by the film.
About 60 people attended this screening and we thought it was a good way of surfacing the issues whilst at the same time listening to the voices of people with first hand knowledge . So, we decided to take part again in 2020.
As with so many things, the festival this year has gone online. As a result, the festival films will be available via an online platform for a fortnight starting on 14 November. This includes the film that we are sponsoring – featured in the panel below. If you wish to see the film you have to book through the festival site. People who sign up can also submit questions about the panel discussion taking place on Wednesday 25 November We are still finalising the panel for our discussion but it will include Pat Gaffney, former General Secretary of Pax Christi and Richard Burden, former MP and Chair of the Palestine All Party Parliamentary Committee.
JEWS STEP FORWARD
Available to view Sat 14 November – Sat 28 November
This powerful documentary features 24 diverse American Jewish voices across the demographic divide, sharing their thoughts on cultural identity, the proud Jewish contribution to social justice, their evolving views of Israel, and the importance of Jewish values and conscience.
If you sign up to view the film (minimum charge £3) then you will also have the opportunity to submit questions about the issues raised by the film and an invite to view the panel discussion on 25 Nov. There will be a panel of 4 speakers with John Battle chairing the discussion.
The link below will take you to more details about the film (you can also watch a trailer) – but, while you are there, why not browse the rest of the festival programme!