Takoma Park Screens Controversial Movie
Special to MCM
Amid controversy and criticism from state and county officials, the Takoma Park Arts and Humanities Commission hosted a screening of a truncated version of the documentary film “The Occupation of the American Mind” at the city’s community center on Tuesday night.
The film, which argues that the Israeli government and lobbyists on its behalf have mounted a concerted media effort to manipulate American public opinion, has been denounced for allegedly promoting anti-Semitic stereotypes. On Friday, the County Council sent a letter to Mayor Kate Stewart and the City Council expressing concern about the film’s message. The letter was signed by every member except Council Member Tom Hucker (D-5) who represents Takoma Park. Hucker said he had not seen the film and did not feel comfortable signing the letter.
“By sponsoring the film, the City of Takoma Park appears to be legitimatizing a premise that American Jews control the media and national politics, which is extremely offensive and hurtful to Takoma Park’s many Jewish residents, the entire Montgomery County Jewish community, and to all those who oppose bigotry,” the Council members wrote.
Comptroller Peter Franchot issued a statement denouncing the film.
“Having lived in Takoma Park for decades, and having raised my family in this wonderful city, I can’t tell you how disappointed I am that our City’s government is still planning to show this piece of anti-Semitic garbage on the taxpayers’ dime,” Franchot said. “I’m fine with freedom of speech and political expression. I’m not fine with our local government using my tax dollars to peddle the same bigoted dog whistles that have been used to rationalize hatred, discrimination and violence against the Jewish people for generations. I don’t know who in the hell thought this was a good idea, but Kate Stewart and the City Council need to make the call today to cancel this showing and relegate this movie – and its anti-Semitic values – back to the dark fringes of our society.”
State Senator Ben Kramer (D-19) also denounced the screening.
“What is next on the agenda …. Should we reflect on 1933 Germany for just a little guidance?” Kramer wrote in a letter to Stewart and the Council. “Perhaps soon you will require your Jewish business owners to place Stars of David on their storefronts so that later it will be easier to identify them and smash their windows, or perhaps just a government promoted synagogue burning or two … after all, it’s just the Jews.”
Stewart defended the decision to show the film, saying that it would help foster a dialogue on the causes of anti-Semitism.
A large audience attended the film Tuesday night. At the start of the event, Theo Brown, a professional facilitator from the firm Public Engagement Associates, explained that the screening had originally been scheduled for last month but that the city had delayed it for a month in order to arrange for a panel discussion to address the controversy.
“The Occupation of the American Mind” is produced by the Media Education Foundation, and narrated by British musician Roger Waters, bassist for the band Pink Floyd. The film depicts efforts by the Israeli government to improve public perception of its military after backlash from the 1982 invasion of Lebanon. A key element of this strategy was contracting Frank Luntz, an American consultant who has been influential in many Republican campaigns, to frame the narrative of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a manner favorable to the Israeli government. Luntz’s tactics included portraying all Israeli military action as self-defense against an implacable enemy, marginalizing the Palestinian perspective, and denouncing any criticism of Israeli government policies as anti-Semitic. The film also explores how the powerful lobbying group the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) wields great influence in the American political process through financial campaign contributions and media coverage.
Supporters and detractors of the film attended on Tuesday Night.
“I’m here today to show my support for the screening and my support for the city of Takoma Park’s decision to continue the screening of a really important and educational film that had has illegitimate attacks thrown against it,” said Chase Carter, a member of the DC Metro chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace, an organization of American Jews who oppose the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands. “Criticism of Israel, a nation-state, a government, just like any other government, is not an attack on any individual religious or ethnic group, and therefore it is not anti-Semitism or racism. This film makes no accusations about Jews controlling the media. All it does is show how a very powerful lobby, like so many other lobbies ,has influenced American politics.”
“I’ve watched this film many times and I believe it’s deeply dishonest,” said Peter Vardon, a Takoma Park resident who showed up with several friends to protest the screening. “They refer to Israeli illegality, but in fact, Israel’s founding was based on the UN charter, on international law. UN Resolution 242 does not require Israeli withdrawal Un Resolution 242; N Resolution 242 only requires negotiations of land for peace. The so-called siege is actually an economic sanction of the Gaza Strip that is authorized by UN law.” Of the many Jewish residents who showed up in support of the film, Vardon said, “They’re deeply deluded and misinformed.”
After the screening, Brown moderated a panel discussion with Matthew Mayers of J Street, which describes itself as a “Pro-Israel and Pro-peace organization,” and Taher Herzallah of American Muslims for Palestine. Rabbi Maharat Ruth Friedman of Ohev Shalom Synagogue was originally scheduled to participate in the discussion but withdrew.
“Most people in Israel and Palestine support a two-state solution, but they are also skeptical that it’s going to happen any time soon,” Mayers said. Mayers said that he did not believe that the film was anti-Semitic, but that he was disappointed that it did not consider the historical claim of the Jewish people to Israeli land.
Herzallah thanked Stewart and the City Council for going ahead with the screening despite criticism.
“This is the kind of criticism and the sort of attacks that we Palestinians and Americans who support Palestinian rights face anytime we have a public forum to discuss our narrative,” Herzallah said. Herzallah also criticized Governor Larry Hogan for issuing an executive order requiring firms with state contracts to pledge not to support the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign.
The panelists responded to questions from the audience.
A 45-minute version of the film was shown Tuesday night. The uncut version is available to watch free at www.occupationmovie.org.
What else would you expect … smh .. it’s Montgomery County & Takoma Park … DUH !
I think this article makes a fair attempt to give both sides, here’s my two cents: The film is critical of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza and explains why most of the world condemns this occupation and why media consumers in the US, who are only presented with a skewed view of events, do not.
Many believe any criticism of Israeli’s military occupation, or of any Israeli policy, is anti-Semitic. Sadly, those people support policies that perpetuate the misery of millions of Palestinians and are the real impediments to peace in the region.
… even in contemporary German “Middle-East” politics, Israeli intensive lobbying with questionable methods was exposed by a recent investigative “Spiegel” report (similar to Time Magazine). The scandal involved the German-Jewish “Values-Initiative” group & the pro-Israeli “NAFFO” promoting anti-BDS resolutions – even with “money exchanging into politicians’ hands”.
Israel’s newly dedicated “Strategic Affairs Ministry” cooperates with Mossad in the fight against the boycott, divestment & sanctions movement on a budget of ca. 30,000000 EU (Haaretz)
Vindicating the “spreading antisemitism” accusation, Spiegel”s publisher/editors/journalists substantiated their investigative expose in further detailing Israel’s global ” BDS Targeted Campaign”.
Kudos to those with the ethics & courage to confront injustice & crimes – you are the true movers of history!