Expanding the Narrative

I recently signed a letter protesting the Toronto International Film Festival's decision to showcase and celebrate Tel Aviv. This in the very year when Gaza happened. The decision made the festival a participant in the newly launched campaign to "rebrand" Israel. Arye Mekel, the Israeli Foreign Ministry's Director General for Cultural Affairs, has said that artists and writers must be enlisted in order to "show Israel's prettier face, so we are not thought of purely in the context of war." The protesters felt it was wrong for the much-respected festival to be used in this manner. The role of art, after all, is not to prettify but to expose reality with all its contradictions and complexities. I signed the letter without reading it carefully enough, without asking myself if some of the wording wouldn't exacerbate the situation rather than bring about constructive dialogue. Last week, Rabbi Shlomo Schwartz, director of the Chai Center in Los Angeles, explained to me the meaning of the Hebrew word "teshuva"-- to fix things you have done incorrectly, not just by never doing them again but by "coming with a sincere heart. Words that come from the heart enter the heart." Some of the words in the protest letter did not come from my heart, words that are unnecessarily inflammatory: The simplistic depiction of Tel Aviv as a city "built on destroyed Palestinian villages," for instance, and the omission of any mention of Hamas's 8-month-long rocket and mortar attacks on the town of Sderot and the western Negev to which Israel was responding when it launched its war on Gaza. Many citizens now suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result. In the hyper-sensitized reality of the region in which any criticism of Israel is swiftly and often unfairly branded as anti-Semitic, it can become counterproductive to inflame rather than explain and this means to hear the narratives of both sides, to articulate the suffering on both sides, not just the Palestinians. By neglecting to do this the letter allowed good people to close their ears and their hearts. Additionally, protesting the use of the festival to "rebrand" Israel was perhaps too easily misunderstood. It certainly has been wildly distorted. Contrary to the lies that have been circulated, the protest letter was not demonizing Israeli films and filmmakers. On one of the many trips I have made to Israel, I spoke at Tel Aviv University's film department and am well aware, as I'm sure the other signatories are, that Israeli films are not a mouthpiece for their government's policies. Nor was the letter an attack on the legitimacy of Tel Aviv as an Israeli city, or a call to boycott the Toronto Film Festival. In fact, many signatories are attending the festival and have films showing there. As I said in my recent blog, the greatest "re-branding" of Israel would be to celebrate that country's long standing, courageous and robust peace movement by helping to end the blockade of Gaza through negotiations with all parties to the conflict, and by stopping the expansion of West Bank settlements. That's the way to show Israel's commitment to peace, not a PR campaign. There will be no two-state solution unless this happens. The Israeli-Palestinian story cannot be reduced to a simplistic aggressor-victim relationship. In order to fully understand this, one must be willing to come together with an open heart and really hear the narratives of both sides. One narrative sees 1948 as the mass expulsion of Palestinians from their land. Another sees it as the birth of a nation. Conceivably it was both. Neither narrative can be erased, both must be heard.

Follow Jane Fonda on Twitter: www.twitter.com/janefonda

Comments

[hrzl]

> Another [narrative] sees it as the birth of a nation.
More than that, it was a defensive war to prevent a second holocaust in the 1940s. Think what would have happened if the Arabs won in 1948. They would have done what they said they would.

[Vkap]

Jane Fonda, it's very nice of you to withdraw your support from the hateful one-sided declaration, I love you argument that you haven't really read the text through before you signed it. I'll try to use that excuse next time with my bank and let you know how it went.

Tel Aviv is a home of close to a million people, many of them Arab Israelis. It is a vibrant and divers place, very much a representative of Israeli culture as a whole. Those who claim that it was built on destroyed Arab villages are ignorant individuals or simply anti-semites that would employ any Goebells style propaganda to advance their agenda. Obviously, it has absolutely nothing to do with the facts. Tel Aviv was founded about 100 years ago some 50 years before Israel was even born and that's the fact.

Those who engage in routine Israel bashing should get their facts straight before signing such a crack-pot petition but it seems that anything that is against Israel will automatically gather their support, no need even to read what your are signing.

Way to go, celebrities!

[juliaizen]

Jane Fonda has been a courageous progressive advocate for decades; often putting herself on the line, and she is one of my greatest heroes. On this issue however, as for many others, there is some kind of blind spot. Not only Jews, but Gypsies, Gays and those who opposed German fascism, lost their lives in the labor camps. If they were also given a country, and proceeded to abuse the indigenous inhabitants, would we condone it, because they were Holocaust Survivors? Fascism, whether Jewish, or otherwise, is unacceptable, regardless of its cause. There is no other viable position.

[alexa07]

Yes, I agree. I loved Jane's autobiography, reading it with my mother in the last year of her life. We discussed many of the chapters in the book. It was a wonderful book. Inspiring, insightful. I too have admired Jane, but I am NOT with her on this recanting, even if ever so diluted for all of the reasons you have stated. Naomi Klein appeared on Amy Goodman's "Democracy Now" a few days ago, stating precisely that the intention of the letter was not to censor the festival, nor to discourage any viewing of the Israeli films. As Jane herself writes, "As I said in my recent blog, the greatest "re-branding" of Israel would be to celebrate that country's long standing, courageous and robust peace movement by helping to end the blockade of Gaza through negotiations with all parties to the conflict, and by stopping the expansion of West Bank settlements." No need for an apology of any sort. The cruelties & spitefulness of the siege on Gaza cannot be overlooked nor the history of Tel Aviv before it was Tel Aviv.

[Vkap]

Maybe you could enlighten us about "history of Tel Aviv before it was Tel Aviv"?

But first, may I suggest a bit of self-education, it surely wouldn't hurt you:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tel_Aviv

[Goefel]

Well, it's a start that actors are beginning to speak up. Just stop with the fair and balanced approach (i.e. many citizens now suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result.) It tends to invalidate your intentions of having a sincere pride a boycott. This post makes it look as it's a secret apology.
Remember what one of our great leaders said "Your either for it,or against it".

[NesGahas]

Yes, other actors are also starting to speak up:
Film festival counter protest heats up
Jerry Seinfeld, Natalie Portman, Sacha Baron Cohen, Lisa Kudrow, Jason Alexander and Lenny Kravitz are among a prominent list of celebrities opposing a group that has criticized the Toronto International Film Festival's spotlight on Tel Aviv.
Titled "We Don't Need Another Blacklist," their statement applauds the festival's decision to spotlight Tel Aviv.

[SWforever]

To Jane Fonda,
Thank you for the courage to apologize. L'Shana Tova, to you and your family. However, it remains unfortunate that on the Israeli/Palestinian issue, our "transformative President" has at yet to change the dialogue.

I am a member of J Street and think it is supporting excellent and long over due US/Israeli relations. However, I personally was disappointed that President Obama went back to the rhetoric as usual. "end the settlements". This limited thinking, much like the final part of Fonda's letter fails to rethink and truly believe that the issues are not only complex, they are not only "two sided", they require "simultaneous" solutions. A willingness on "all sides", to agree to taking steps that speak to the question, "what is democracy" and what is each sides role?

I refer all readers, including Ms. Fonda, since she has my admiration, to read former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Tzipi Livni's article in the N.Y. Times, June 5th, 2009, "Democracy's Price of Admission", to better understand why emphasizing what one side needs to do "first", just helps to keep everybody on a circular track and noone benefits and only furthers a "deadend".

[Macready]

Jane, please watch this clip about Operation Cast Lead . . it was on Channel 4 News (UK) last night . . . you have nothing to apologise for . . . It is time the Zionists started apologising and accepted responsibility for their actions . . .

http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/international_politics/israel+and+hamas+aposwar+crimesapos+in+gaza/3345017

[Goefel]

Thanks for the link. It's embarrassing for Israel's representatives to oppose the report, calling it a kangaroo court. What a group of hypocrites and it shows their systematic defense is ubiquitous throughout their nation. They are the ones who now look foolish.

[NesGahas]

Whoa, take another look: Even President Barack Obama's administration has rejected the report:
U.S. Rejects UN Proposal to Compel War Crimes Probes of Gaza Conflict - Colum Lynch in the Washington Post
Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the UN, rejected a UN proposal to compel Israel and Hamas to conduct credible investigations into war crimes during last winter's war in Gaza or face possible prosecution by an international prosecutor. Rice said the U.S. has long had "very serious concerns" about the mandate the Human Rights Council gave to the Goldstone panel, calling it "unbalanced, one-sided and basically unacceptable."

[ilouie]

The entire middle east is a problem for the entire planet. It's time to stop taking sides. This is no holy land for me. Boths sides are an abomination to the word 'God'. Everyone should boycott the whole region until they work it out themselves.

[coveark]

That makes sense to me..

[winningticket]

Jane I love you, but I am not with you on this.

[juliaizen]

What would Jesus say about this debacle? There are many unborn Christians who support Israel unconditionally, no matter what atrocities they commit, waiting for Jesus to return there. I doubt, that under these circumstances, he's coming back any time soon, and pretty sure, that if he is watching, he must be very unhappy with what he sees.

[eileenflemingWAWA]

Some other robust Israelis are the Shministim, which translates to “twelfth-graders” in Hebrew.

These are Israel's future leaders and also a growing movement of Israeli youth of conscience who are refusing to serve in the army because it is the force that enforces Israel’s 42+-years of occupation of the indigenous Palestinians.

The first Shministim letter was sent to Prime Minister Golda Meir.

In 2008, one hundred youth have signed the following letter; which also cost them a jail term in an Israeli military prison, ranging from 21 to 28 days-and for those who refuse to wear the military uniform while doing the time, they are also punished with solitary confinement.

The Shministim Letter of 2008:
http://www.wearewideawake.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1308&Itemid=221

[juliaizen]

Thank you for sharing information about these courageous people who are willing to pay dearly for their principles. I certainly cannot be sure, but I would imagine that the Jesus I have been taught about, would say that they exemplify the meaning of the word "Christian." Thanks again for this inspiring news. I hope that if I were in their position, that I would demonstrate the similar courage.

[PCL07]

Thank you for a wonderful and informative read. I had just recently watched "Waltz With Bashir" and was totally amazed. Films are wonderful story tellers.

I can never understand why people can't seem to understand that we are all connected, no matter how hard the separations try to continue. Sharing is much more enjoyable than taking something away from someone.

Btw, will the film about this controversy be a feature film or documentary? :-)

Kudos, Ms. Fonda!

[bioluminescence]

When the U. S. facilitated the transformation of Israel into a major nuclear power more than 30 years ago and pledged undying loyalty to that country, it permanently destabilized the Middle East. Can any of us remember when a day, let alone a week went by in our entire lifetimes when the Middle East conflict was not part of the major newscasts?

Today, Israel is the 6th leading nuclear power in the world with more than 100 nuclear weapons. Former President Carter said at a conference last year the number was more in the range of 150.

This doesn't make Israel the bad guys any more than it makes its enemies the good guys. It simply means than any discussion of the justification for military action on either side is meaningless because the playing field is so grossly unbalanced.

[googoogajob]

What it does obviously mean though is that Israel refuses to play by the civilized world's rules and to commit themselves to honoring international law. They are therefore by definition a rogue state. Face it.

The Israeli government's hypocrisy is astounding.
They do in fact have a massive amount of nuclear warheads yet refuse to sign the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

Iran, whom they can't wait to start a war with, has signed and abides by the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. They are constantly inspected and constantly are cleared of any nuclear weapons progams.
They pursue nuclear technology for power production, and sell their oil (they have very few refineries to produce gasoline) so they can buy gasoline on the open market like everyone else.

And comparing as equal blame Palestinian's reaction to Israel's constant aggressions (and settlement building on disputed lands) is akin to saying both parties are equally to blame when a battered wife manages to get a face slap in every now and then while her man beats the cr*p out of her.

I've got nothing against Jews, Muslims, Palestinains or Isrealis.
I do however have something against hypocrisy and abusive relationships.

[concerned reader]

this must be a joke right?

"They pursue nuclear technology for power production, and sell their oil (they have very few refineries to produce gasoline) so they can buy gasoline on the open market like everyone else."

When even Russia publicly acknowledges that nefariousness of Iran's nuclear program, you know there's no shred of legitimacy to the "pursuit of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes" argument. If Iran's pursuits are peaceful, why are they hiding subscale enrichment facilities?

As for your point of view, and sources for your information it just reminds me of the saying "garbage in, garbage out."

[Thelonius]

Ms. Fonda:
Thank you for signing the letter protesting the Toronto International Film Festival's decision to showcase and celebrate Tel Aviv. In your posting above you state that the letter made no "mention of Hamas's 8-month-long rocket and mortar attacks on the town of Sderot and the western Negev to which Israel was responding when it launched its war on Gaza."

Some perspective: The rocket attacks from Gaza started in 2001 and took their first Israeli victim in 2004. Since then, there had been 14 Israeli victims prior to the December 2008 war. While tragic, hardly comparable to the 1,700 Gaza Strip Palestinians, including many innocent bystanders, women and children, killed by Israel during the same period. During Israel's massive 22 day land, air and sea assault against the tiny virtually defenseless Gaza Strip that began on 27 December 2008, nearly 1,500 Palestinians were killed, including hundreds of non-combatants, women and children. As for Israel, it suffered some damaged buildings and 13 dead, including three civilians from rocket fire and three soldiers killed in a friendly-fire incident.

[concerned reader]

Out of curiosity, how many Hamas attacks do you think Israel should have tolerated from Gaza before responding? Do you think that any other country in the world would tolerate a single cross border attack without retaliation? If Canadians started lobbing rockets into Seattle on a daily basis, would any US president sit by idly? There is a massive double standard at play here.

[IrishMale]

Wow. I'm in awe. Seriously.

Think about it. How often do you see celebs, especially Movie Stars who could just as easily live the lives of prima donnas, with this level of mature and responsible thinking? It's all too easy to take a side on Isreal-Palestine, too easy to oversimplify the conflict to suit one's own moral tastes. It takes a humble adult person to look at their own actions this critically, and a truly remarkable person to publically take responsibility for them and invite discussion.

Jane Fonda just made the list of people I'd wish to have at my poker table in the afterlife.

[HelloFunnyWorld]

Dear Jane ~
Points for trying, the beginning & end was fine, the in between, middle parts - not so.
:)

Friday is the Jewish New Year, we pray for Blessings and a clean start there for both peoples.

However, reality takes much more work and no matter how one slices things, it is the Palestinians who are the worse off. Does not matter who started this, who continues, or how things got here. It is the Palestinians who are worse off in Life than the Jewish people. It's that simple. And this unfair, unbalanced state needs to be fixed, soon, yes? So, why not protest, where possible?

Understandably - An horrific invasion of Gaza where Chemical weapons were used; damage of a long standing Blockade of Gaza on the people and their lives; an ugly intimidating wall all around the Palestinians, and then their land continuing to be taken away so bizarrely with Settlements - is not the face Israel wants any one to associate with the country & it's people. But these severe situations cannot just be parked one side till it's convenient. Palestinians must get PTSD too, right?

As for the Rabbi's explanation to - "to fix things you have done incorrectly, not just by never doing them again but by "coming with a sincere heart. Words that come from the heart enter the heart." - How would his vision of T'eshuva work with the above mentioned harm done to the lives of these poor people?

Thank

[myopinion2]

Remeber Rabbis Hillel and Shammai. Judaism cannot answer your question. There is a liberal interpretation and a conservative interpretation of Judaism's principles. there is conflicting liberal and conservative perspectives of "reality", which effect and change the application of Jewish principles.

Shana tova. Shalom

[misaacm]

Good for you Jane, once again someone exploited your passion, conscience and good name. The poisonous people behind the anti-Israel polemic you signed have no interest in middle east peace, they only want to destroy Israel. Unfortunately they are supported by many Huff-Posters. Unlike the entire Arab world, and their many apologists represented here, you seem to understand that actions have consequences, and that compromise does not mean weakness, only strength.

Israel, the one thriving democracy in the middle east, with a strong independent film industry, has shown the Arab world what a disaster their culture of violence against women, repression, religious intolerance and corruption is, they have suckered many leftists into believing that the people with 99+% of the land in the middle east are somehow "victims". I'm glad to see that you realized that they had played you and that you don't have to take it.