Name: Myriam Karina Bustillo Rubio

Student number: A01186521

Clash of the Civilizations Close-up: Israel and Palestine

As you watch, take notes to answer these questions. Write small- you may learn more later in the film.
1. What was the intifada? When did it happen?
Intifada is a Palestinian uprising that took place in the Gaza Strip and Israel between December 8 th, 1987,
and September 13th, 1993. It began after an Israel Defense Force car collided with a civilian car, resulting in
the death of four Palestinians. After the accident occurred, protests started taking place which were
considered to be civil disobedience. The people refused to work, threw rocks, barricaded buildings, graffiti
walls, and resisted, until the soldiers begun firing at them, thus killing them. 311 Palestinians were killed in
the first wave of impact.
2. What happened after the 6-day war in 1967?
Frustration grew among the Palestinians who lived in territories occupied by Israeli. Seeing as the Israeli
overpowered them, they were given jobs that were unwanted by the Israeli, those that did not require a
special skill, labor work among others (similar to the immigrants Mexican jobs in the U.S.).
3. According to the Palestinian children, why does the land belong to them?
Because they claim they lived in the land originally and the Israeli Jews arrived and took away from them
what was already theirs.
4. According to the religious Israeli Jews, why does the land belong to them?
Because it is a sacred place according to their religion. It was given to them by God, the promised land
that Moses led Gods people to after walking through the desert for 40 years (Moses never actually stepped
on the promised land, he passed away after the promised land was in sight and his people arrived.
5. How do secular Jewish children view the situation differently from religious Jews? How does the
memory of the holocaust influence their views?
The secular Jewish children are afraid of the religious Jews and do not consider them to be equal or on the
same terms, because they believe religious Jews to have too many strange traditions, and to be a bit wacky
in their heads. They are even scared of the old religious Jews, because some are extremists, therefore they
are afraid of being judged of thrown rocks at by them. The holocaust influenced their views in a way
contradictory to what may be thought (dire times bring people together).
6. What is the significance of the key that the Palestinian boys grandmother gives him?
It is a symbol of a promise, a promise that one day they will return to their land and live where their
ancestors lives previously. And if the promise cant be kept within that lifetime, the key is passed on, to
continue the wish of returning.
7. How are the Palestinian children different from the Israeli children? How are they similar?
They have different physical characteristics. The Israeli children are white and some are blond, while the
Palestinian children were had a darker toned skin (not African American dark, more like a tan dark) and
charcoal black hair. They were similar in their attitude, and the way they played. They were all children
playing, no matter the religion they belonged to, laughter is the same everywhere.
8. How are these children different from the way you were when you were their age? How are they similar
to you?
They knew at a very young age of a concept I only learned at 14 years old...death. Most people
(especially children) know that death exists, but it seems something surreal, as if it could only happen to
people older than you, far older. But, when it arrives it makes you value life more, nothing is secure, take
nothing for granted. Enjoy every moment of your life.
I think they are similar to myself in the sense that we both believe that talking is the only way conflicts are
resolved, killing does nothing but stir more hatred and vengeance (not all children of the video thought of
this solution, but I agree with those who did). I especially felt empathy with the kid who said Who wins
wars? People on both sides die, so there isnt really a winner, is there? They both lose I think this is also

true, and it made me want to cry. This wisdom is not something the kids gained by reading, but by suffering
a great deal. Sufferings that they shouldnt have gone through.
9. Based on this video, why do you think Palestinians would not want to simply divide the land into two
countries? Why do you think Israelis would not want to allow Palestinians to become Israelis?
Because humans are greedy, and do not know the concept of sharing. If one possess something they would
not respond to someone who is demanding half of what they own. Thats the problem. One side thinks the
land is rightfully theirs, therefore, they do not ask for it in a nice manner, they demand it. And the other side
is outraged by this, and doesnt budge at their insistence.
Now, Im not saying that asking nicely is going to make the Palestinians reflect and just give away half of
their land (supposedly). But, it might get them farther and cost less lives than the methods they are trying
right now.
10. Write down at least 5 questions that occur to you during the film.
- Will those children turn into their fathers and in some way be brainwashed and forget everything they
shared between the Palestinians and Israeli?
- How come the Jewish kid who was prepared the most in an educational way; who seems really smart and
conscious of what is happening on with the world was one of the least inclined to meet people from other
religions, or befriend them?
- Who wins wars?
- How come children can see things that adults cant? No matter how many people are killed, they know
that the only way to resolve conflicts is by talking to the other side. If people only point their fingers at
others conflicts are never going to be resolved.
- Would the conflict be resolved if more children from different religions talked amongst them? To reach
the conclusion that both sides have lost valuable lives.
- Would talk among children as a solution to problems be used in all type of conflicts? No matter the
country, or religious background