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Page last updated
March 8, 2007
Understanding the conflict
Spielberg's Munich
Spielberg's Munich has provoked strong reactions. Here are a few:
Robert Fisk, My challenge to Steven Spielberg, The Independent, 22 January 2006 ('This film deconstructs the whole myth of Israeli invincibility and moral superiority, its false alliances...and its arrogant assumption that it has the right to engage in state murder while others do not.')
Jonathan Freedland, Blood breeds blood, Guardian 13th January 2006 (Spielberg 'still loves Israel, he still longs for its survival and wellbeing, but now he is paying attention to the moral costs - the impact not so much on the Palestinians, but on the Jewish soul.')
Michelle Goldberg, "Profoundly Flattering to Israel", Der Spiegel ('In certain circles, apparently, simply calling attention to the fact that the people killed by counterterrorists are, in fact, people, is at best maudlin, at worst disloyal.')
Jewish Voice for Peace, Spielberg's Munich - Myth and Reality ('Munich is not a film that makes any kind of Palestinian case. But it does raise important questions, on top of being a very engrossing and well-made film. That really ought to be enough for anyone.')
Bret Stephens, Wall Street Journal 31st December 2005 ("... why is [Spielberg's movie raising such hackles among Israelis and those generally known as the 'pro-Israel' crowd?...If you start with an axe to grind,' [scriptwriter] Kushner recently told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, 'then you write a bad play or movie.' To watch 'Munich' is to recognize the truth of that statement.")
As'ad, Spielberg on Munich: the humanization of Israeli killers, and the dehumanization of Palestinian civilians, angryarab.blogspot.com, 26th December 2005 (' The thrust of the Spielberg movie is simple, fanfare notwithstanding: Israeli killers are conscientious and humane people, while Palestinians are always--no matter what--killers')
Joseph Massad, Baking the cake, Al Ahram 2-8 February 2006 ('Munich legitimises Israeli policy towards Palestinians while nodding away any moral qualms'
