Palestine Is Still The Issue

Palestine Is Still The Issue is a riveting 2002 documentary directed by Tony Stark and exemplarily hosted by renowned Australian journalist, John Pilger. In this potent work of insight and revelation, Pilger delves deep into the perennial conflict that defines the Middle East – the ongoing struggle and contention between Israel and Palestine.

The film marks a revisitation of the crisis after Pilger’s 25-year hiatus from the issue, following on from his seminal 1977 documentary, Palestine Is Still The Issue. Thus signaling, tragically, the enduring nature of the issue and giving birth to the title of the film.

Appropriately bleak and confronting, the docudrama involves gravitating interviews with an array of individuals impacted by this social and political deadlock. These include several vocal Palestinian voices such as Fatima Abed-Rabo and Amjad Abu Laban. Fatima Abed-Rabo serves as a significant Palestinian voice in the documentary, and she sheds light on the life in occupied territories. Amjad Abu Laban, a distinguished civil right activist, contributes his nuanced perspectives on the conflict, further enriching the narrative.

Providing a window into the lived reality of the occupied territories, Palestine Is Still The Issue tears down the sterile, dehumanizing language of international diplomacy and exposes the raw human existence beneath. Graphic and heart-wrenching visuals of occupied zones and refugee camps, coupled with first-hand accounts of terror, trauma, and perseverance, offer an unparalleled view of the Palestinian struggle, thus doing justice to the gravity of the situation.

John Pilger's impassioned advocacy and readiness to question authority underscore his role as the film's stalwart anchor. He combines the roles of investigator, interviewer, and concerned observer laudably, delivering a powerful and gripping narrative that impels viewers to reflect on the complexity, longevity, and pressing urgency of the issue. Pilger revives his 1977 assertion that the core of the matter lies in the state-enforced displacement and oppression of Palestinians and, to that end, links unequivocally the long-standing historical occupation with the current dilemma of the Palestinians.

The film crafts a comprehensive historical context while shedding light on the events of post-World War II, the role of the United Nations and major powers, including the United States and the UK, in shaping this volatile region. In doing so, it fosters a crucial understanding of how colonial machinery, geopolitics, and power play have birthed the existing state of events, perpetuating disparity, dispossession, and disenfranchisement.

Throughout the narrative, Israel's policies are starkly questioned, challenging the controversial subjects of human rights violations, illegal settlements, and land appropriation. Yet, while the focus largely revolves around the Palestinian plight, the film does not shy away from engaging with Israeli individual voices, thereby demonstrating a significant effort to maintain objectivity amid a heated and divisive topic.

By challenging the media's possible biases, the documentary underscores the importance of a balanced and nuanced understanding of the crisis. This aspect sets the narrative apart by driving attention to the role of media and prevailing narratives in configuring public perspectives on the issue.

Palestine Is Still The Issue stands as an audacious, eye-opening, and deeply affecting indictment of the unending crises in the region by a highly acclaimed journalist and commentator. Through a blend of archival footage, on-ground reporting, and compelling interviews, it manages to uncover the grim reality of one of the most enduring and contentious political disputes of our times.

This documentary offers no easy solutions or endings; instead, it amplifies voices that are often ignored and carries the conversation forward. It serves as a harrowing testament to a struggle far from over, paving the way for further dialogue, negotiation, and understanding.

The documentary is a must-watch for historians, political science enthusiasts, human rights activists, and inherently anyone who wishes to gain insights into a rarely-discussed perspective of one of the most complicated geopolitical issues in the world. It leaves viewers with a sense of urgency and a reminder that this issue indeed, remains far from being resolved—a sobering realization that cuts through the noise, placing the onus on the world to acknowledge and address the undeniable truth: Palestine Is Still The Issue.