CLOSED ZONE: 'Waltz With Bashir' Animator Makes Film On Gaza (VIDEO)

RAMALLAH, West Bank -- An Israeli creator of the Oscar-nominated "Waltz with Bashir" released a short film Wednesday about the effects of his country's Gaza blockade on Palestinians.

Yoni Goodman said he hoped the 90-second animated film, "Closed Zone," would draw attention to the plight of Gaza's civilians.

"People talk about Hamas, but there are many civilians there who are not Hamas supporters but who are suffering from this blockade," the animator said.

Israel has kept Gaza's borders largely sealed since the Islamic militant Hamas took over the seaside territory in June 2007. Since then, Israeli has heavily restricted Palestinians from leaving Gaza and limited the goods that can enter.

The closed borders are a major issue in both peace talks and proposals to reconstruct Gaza after Israel's three-week offensive ended in January. Both Palestinians and international aid groups say the borders must be opened to allow in much-needed living supplies.

Goodman said he began the film before Israel launched its offensive against Gaza's ruling Hamas militants in December, but the conflict affected the story.

The film, a combination of animation and real-life scenes, follows a boy chasing a blue bird while large hands block his way. The hands cut Gaza's borders in the ground with a giant cookie-cutter, then prevent the boy from crossing.

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At one point, missiles arc over the boy's head, exploding in a city on the horizon.

The film was commissioned by the Israeli human rights group Gisha. Goodman said that as an Israeli, he hoped the film could challenge the view that most Israelis favor violence.

"I want people in the West to see it, to see that there are people in Israel who are against war, who want peace," he said.

Goodman was animation director for "Waltz with Bashir," which followed a soldier struggling to recall suppressed memories of his involvement in Israel's 1982 war with Lebanon. The film won a Golden Globe award and was nominated for an Oscar for best foreign film.

"Closed Zone" has been released on the Internet at closedzone.com and on YouTube, but Goodman hopes it will have wider distribution.

Comments

[miltonista]

They should do an animation about how they indoctrinate their youth to strap special vests on...

... And don't forget to animate the Israelis driving food, medicine and rescue services into places in Gaza which were attacked.

Perhaps if the world united against Hamas... instead of against Israel, we might make some headway in that region.

[chaos4700]

Yeah. And maybe if Israel wasn't in violation of pretty much every UN resolution, Geneva Convention and international treaty organization, maybe there wouldn't be a problem.

[Samlas]

This video is excellant !!!

[iSeeDumbPeople]

GOD help the Gazans

[Macready]

this is a wonderful film . . . it should be mandatory viewing for Congress . . . maybe they will finally understand what they are doing . . . but then again I suspect that is wishful thinking on my part . . most of them seem to be on the AIPAC payroll . . .

[who38]

Of course this film will not matter. Although there are many people in both Israel and the US that would like the liberation of Gaza, neither the political "giants" of either country has any intention of doing so. There is still the matter of the gas fields off the coast of Gaza that, given development, might result in reviving that territory's economy. Can't let that happen.

[AbrahamSadegh]

For the sake of our own long-term legitimate interests, the Congress should set up an independent commission to undertake a comprehensive research as to why Israel with 5 million out of nearly 7,000 million population of our planet has such a disproportionate influence on our policies both domestically and internationally.

[Wisdo]

People should not forget that the west bank is also subject to the brutality and race hatred of the Israeli occupation, with a myriad checkpoints set up to detain, humiliate, beat and murder Palestinians going about their daily lives.

Not to mention the ever encroaching settlements, for the security of which Palestinan orchards and fields, houses and schools are regularly demolished by Israeli bulldozers, brought in on : "jews only" roads which snake through the West Bank.

[uglyhumanbeing]

west bank came to mind when i viewed the clip.

gentiles cannot produce critical commentaries like this without being labeled pariah, let alone having such a critical commentary circulated.

[HIbbs4Prez]

And now you see why his film lost out at the Oscars even though it was the clear frontrunner (and personally was the best film I've seen in the past year). Being critical at all of Israel is never a good thing if you want the recognition of the mainstream and the award givers.

[barrycourage]

Good film.

Here are some others:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwnAk1pTCew

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzyPtOMdBhM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_vruVZSemg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FIcpxfXeNE

(Sorry there are no cartoons.)

[almazza98]

And your point being that there aren't any cartoons, what exactly? That its much more devastating in Sderot? I think they are both bad... But if you are really going to compare. PLEASE... don't insult anyone's intelligence.

[chaos4700]

Well, there was a fair bit of devastation in the area of Sderot many decades ago. Of course, back then it was called Najd.

[msfsi]

Anyone can google u-tube or cut and paste entire articles, as you're soo fond of doing, from ardent pro-zionist websites. The u-tube video you posted a while back that showed 8 years of terrorist attacks inside Israel was very graphic, but in just 3 weeks, Israel managed to inflict almost as much murder among women and children alone, and billions more in damage.
At least listen to jews inside Israel that seek to show the nature of occupation, oppression and the callous disrgard for the most basic of rights of palestinians.

[barrycourage]

I acknowledged that the subject film is good.

There are two sides to this story and you don't want to see or hear about the reality of terrorism faced by Israelis.

Too bad.

[skialethia]

Here are the statistics and percentages of Palestinian deaths vs Israeli deaths. Proof positive that Oppression, Occupation and Apartheid breed violence!

End the apartheid! BDS - Boycott! Divest! Sanction!

[skialethia]

Here are some of the keys to ending the apartheid in the West Bank and the imprisonment of Gazans:

1. Pressure from anti-z Israelis around the world and pressure from Israeli human rights groups within to dismantle settlements and work twoards Palestinian statehood or demand equal rights for Palestinians in one state;

2. Pressure by U.S. citizens on the Obama administration to withhold funding and military aid until Israel takes steps to dismantle settlements and open borders in Gaza for reconstruction and humanitarian aid;

3. Pressure by the entire world supporting an apartheid movement against Israel comprised of DBS: Divestment, Boycott, Sanction!

Congratulations to the filmaker, may there be more Israeli artists and human rights activists who work towards the goal of freedom and sovereignty for the Palestinians.

[Aziat]

You live in a fantasy world. Number 2 and 3 will never, ever happen. The settlements should be dismantled, but only when there is a viable, trustworthy Palestinian government to work with, one that could show enough good faith for Israel to work with it toward a peaceful resolution towards the conflict. As long as terrorist attacks continue, Israel will be forced to defend itself, and then peace will suffer. The Palestinians need to elect a leadership who will understand that they have lost in the past, and they need to move forward to a peaceful future, not committ more terrorist attacks which will never, ever accomplish anything except a defensive response from Israel.

Then you will say how the blockade breeds terrorism. Well there was terrorism before the blockade. There needs to be trust developed in order for the blockade to end. Hamas didn't show any goodwill or jopes towards peace, and that is why Israel put a blockade on its borders with Gaza, for reasons of security. You have to understand that after the second intifada, where terrorism was rampant, almost on a daily basis, the Israelis have taken the security of their citizens very seriously. You need to understand the Israeli perspective. If you claim to be for peace but say that you understand or support acts of terrorism, than you are not for peace. Every action Israel has done has been in response to something done to them..

[skialethia]

So end the oppression, end the occupation, end the Apartheid. All of these breed violence! The fault lies with the oppressor!

Who is more to blame the man who was provoked by injustice to commit a crime or the man who provokes another man to commit a crime or who incites violence through his own injustice???

[Asteroid84]

This is a powerful video. Good for him to have the courage to stand-up for justice and peace.

May we hope for the day that all the people in that region can live together in peace. And no child will ever has to go through what the children of Gaza are now experiencing.

[alexa07]

100% excellent comment! Yes, this film is a visual expression of what has caused so many around the world to question the brutality of the Israelis, especially the foolish decisions of the American leaders in Congress who are the root cause behind this violence because of their vote on all matters pertaining to Israel. It cannot be said often enough that the dire situation in Gaza cannot be tolerated any longer. Hillary Clinton's weak attempts today to address what has happened & continues to occur was an embarrassment. Though admittedly, better than Condie! Activist groups continue to contact their reps in Congress as well as Hillary Clinton. End the Occupation Now today on its website had a direct link for anyone wishing to contact her about recent statements. We know that a great deal of pressure is being exerted from all quarters, esp. concerning foolhardy financial decisions with foreign appropriation to Israel in this economic climate. Whether it be morality or money that determines the future course in Palestine, time will tell, but many of us are determined to have a new policy. 60 yrs. of messes in the region are enough!

[nochaos]

Too many of you Israel-bashers are confused about the systematic slaughter of 6 million Jews and an embargo/blockade on Gaza! What do you think the Arabs would do to the Jews if the tables were turned???

[chaos4700]

Probably what Islam dictates -- respect and extend basic rights to fellow People of the Book. Jews have fared far, far better in Islamic countries, historically, than in Christian countries. There was no Holocaust in the Middle East during WW2 and Jews only fled Middle Eastern countries by and large after 1948 as a consequence of blowback to Israel's ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.

[nochaos]

That's funny...the Arab leaders have called for the OPPOSITE...the extermination of Israel...NOT to show the Jews any respect or basic rights as your propaganda BS says!!

[nochaos]

Comparing how Jews were treated in Muslim and Christian countries over the years is like comparing how they were treated by Eichmann and Himmler!! Both stink!

[Asteroid84]

Why should the Palestinians pay for the Holocaust, haa???!!!
I love how as soon as anybody mentions why is the Israeli army killing innocent people, you can always find someone that pups their head up and bring up the Holocaust!!!!! Trust me, the Jews that experienced WWII, and actually had to live through that horrendous condition, I would doubt they would want that experience upon anyone else, yet alone approve of a regime that is killing just the same as the Nazis did just in a different manner!

And don't even start a conversation over something that doesn't exist (i.e. what if the tables were turned). Well, the tables are not turned, and people should really figure out how to help these poor people (for the sake of both Palestinians and Jews), rather than start hypothesizing about what would happen if it was the other way around!!

[ManyColored]

How many Jews have the Palestinians killed after Israel stole their land? How many Palestinians have Israel killed after Israel stole their land? How many times has Israel invaded Palestinian territory, de facto or otherwise, after Israel stole their land? How many times have the Palestinians invaded Israel after Israel stole their land? How much economic, property, and societal damage has Israel committed against Palestinians after Israel stole their land? How much economic, property, and societal damage have the Palestinians committed against Israel after Israel stole their land?

[nochaos]

Moronic question...since Israel WON the land in wars with nations,,,and NEVER fought a "palestinian entity" in '67 or '73 !!! They won the land from Jordan, Egypt, and Syria. They gave back the Sinai to make peace with Egypt! To answer you directly...the Arabs now called Palestinians have done too much damage...but mostly to themselves...and it was done by their theiving LEADERS!!

[Palemoon]

You have a point, but you fail to see the bigger point. That no matter who is in charge of the table, they will be seeking to avenge some wrong that was perpetuated in the past. To me, that is ignorance for the most part. Many people who had no part in the wrong, are in turn wronged. Then when they are in a position to achieve some measure of vengeance, they often do. All that does is just makes things worse, escalates and provide continuity for the violence. At some point, someone will have to step forward and pledge forgiveness. That someone will have to be the one who breaks the cyclical violence, vengeance and general animosity being fomented by both sides. I'm sure they won't even be liked by their own side, but they must do it. Much like Arafat waited far too long to attempt to be anything approaching a statesman, oh what he could have accomplished if he had taken a far different approach. And it probably wasn't that far removed from Mr. Rabin, whom was assassinated by his own side, for showing the courage to compromise, to break the cycle.

[phute]

Sorry - but what have the Palestinians got to do with what happened in WW2?
Why have they been systematically dehumanised by Israel? Why do Israeli children learn from the earliest age that it is ok to view Arabs as inferior?
Tables turned? Explain yourself.

Now - back on topic - great stuff. This guy is special.

[AJ Frost]

What a stupid video. Its the Palestinians fault that they are trapped by the Israelis. Every effort for peace has been thwarted by their corrupt leadership. There could have been peace in 1948, but the Arabs didn't want in then. Now after trying again and again, the Arabs couldn't destroy Israel but have been pushed back to the lands they wanted all along.

President Carter is wrong. It's not simply about land, it about security and prosperity. Hamas is simply ruining any chance of long-lasting peace by continuing to threaten Israeli sovereignty. As citizens who democratically for Hamas, the people of Gaza have been asking for such attacks on them. Once they realize Hamas is not the way to go, and adopt the weak leadership of the Palestinian Authority then there will be opportunity.

But until then, there will be no accord between the two sides.

[nochaos]

Exactly...the Arabs never miss a chance to miss a chance at peace!! That's because they want to wipe out Israel- and NOT live with the Jews at all!!

[chaos4700]

As if we needed more proof at how bigoted Israelis and their supporters are.

[Palemoon]

"Once they realize Hamas is not the way to go, and adopt the weak leadership of the Palestinian Authority then there will be opportunity."

I'm not sure what you meant by that statement, but I'm not sure that's the way for them to go. And while I have no idea if you were implying anything, just to show you how people can take that out of context, which maybe I am... it sounds as if you are saying that they need to show weakness and be submissive to the Israeli ideals before they can ever be peace? I don't agree with that rationale. I think it would only serve to perpetuate what has been going on for at least the last 27 years, actually much longer, and it will still be a situation in which the Palestinians are considered 2nd class human beings, not worthy of strong, effective leadership. And I am in no way saying that Hamas is strong, nor effective. But that they need a leadership who can be that way, peacefully I hope. It takes 100 times more courage to reach a compromise than to fire a shot or lash out.

[cinesimon]

I'm sure you speak with as much knowledge and geographical relevancy that the creator of the video does...

BAH!

[who38]

...."Once they realize Hamas is not the way to go, and adopt the weak leadership of the Palestinian Authority then there will be opportunity. "... Opportunity for what? For whom? Certainly not the Palestinians. That you, David?

[jajenkins]

The video featured a child - and it wasn't his fault.

[Abd-ul-Latif]

Yes, there are many Jews in Israel (though a minority) who believe in peace and justice and who are compassionate people--the Peace Now group comes to mind, and especially the human rights group B'Tselem. They have the courage to speak the truth to their own people, and to question the prevailing ideology with which they were raised. But if true progress is to be made, Israel must confront not just political and human-rights questions per se, but also the undercurrent of anti-Arab racism that exists in Israel. Heck, it's an OVERCURRENT over there, not an undercurrent! Not that America can boast about that--the American South still hasn't fully come to terms with its own history, and of course our current prosperity was bought literally over the dead bodies of Native Americans. Come to think of it, America and Israel DO have a "special relationship," don't they--long histories of ethnic cleansing! But again, I applaud the courageous minority in Israel who are speaking the truth.

To be fair, Muslims around the world have to become more active in working against the evil of Wahhabism and the moral bankruptcy of un-Islamic "martyrdom (suicide) operations." Instead of circling the wagons, we should just respond, "Yes, I'm against all terrorism--Jewish, Christian and Muslim," because God knows they all have their own preferred ways of killing innocent people. A favorite professor of mine said it well: "Killing is the problem, not the solution." Amin.

[Morocco]

I was invited to a party in Golden’s Green in Mass, I was invited by a Moroccan Jewsish family to eat CousCous and enjoy the company of my fellow Moroccan Israelis. As a Muslim tho, I felt very uncomfortable because of the Racist remarks made by a bunch of Russian Jews. They hate and they hate some more. Well! As a Moroccan I gave it to them and I even challenged them to kick my derriere, they were very aggressive and nasty. God bless Moroccan Muslims and Jews

[chaos4700]

I'm sorry to hear that. Honestly, I have to confess this is part of the reason I'm so vocal on these forums. I come from an eastern European Catholic heritage and I see an awful lot of that racism in my own family. And it isn't that the Arab world is completely devoid of racism but my encounters with people from the Middle East have shown me that it isn't taken to the level of intensity, by and large, as it is among caucasiasns.

In many respects, what with having German (pre-WW1) ancestry on one side of my family and Polish on the other, those like the Russian Jews you encountered share a heck of a lot more legacy with me than with anyone in the Middle East. That's why I feel the need to confront it -- I know it's not my fault, by any rational stretch, but I still feel guilty when I see other people of the same ethnicity treat other people so terribly.

[nochaos]

They were Russians..most Russians hare Muzzies because of their wars in Chechnya and Afghanistan against them. Don't blame Israel for that!

[Palemoon]

This is definitely commendable. And I love how he points out the fact that not all of them are in favor of war or any kind of military action. Same goes with alot of us Americans. Many of didn't want to end up in a war in Iraq, let alone the 6 years of occupation that we've had since the end of the war.

Now the two side in this topic need to realize the moment in time where they are at, and decide where they want to go from here. They don't have to make a commitment to say they are going to change immediately. But they do need to make a commitment to change over time. Hamas is going to have to get their rocket wielding citizens under control. They are going to have to do all they can to stop those attacks over time. Meanwhile, the PM needs to accept this and encourage it. If both sides can somehow find some kind of common ground to use as a starting point, then perhaps they can work together. Once they get things under control, take the next logical step, encourage more dialogue. Build trust, learn to cooperate. Then, maybe over 10-20 years, they can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm not the best with words, so I'm sure someone out there can say it better. But there can be progress and eventual peace if they want it.

[Judyisacutie]

Wow

[Justtellthetruth]

God Bless this director. I hope people are Watching and Thinking.