I am about to embark on an exciting TV production/tour-guiding adventure. My crew and I are preparing to fly to Israel in a couple of weeks to make new episodes for our TV series — one on Israel and one on the West Bank, or what’s also known as the Palestinian Territories or Palestine (to air in October 2014). We will also produce one hour-long show that will be a combination of the Israel and Palestine shows. That program will deal a little more directly with the tough issues of the day (to air in spring 2014). In the spirit of our recent Iran documentary (if you haven’t seen it, you can watch it on Hulu), we plan to provide historical and cultural context. Our aim will be to humanize the Holy Land rather than just focus on the hard issues facing Israelis and Palestinians as they try to find a way to share the land they each consider sacred and their rightful homeland. I have three requests for you:
First: I’m struggling with what to call the shows. Our Israel show is pretty easy: “The Best of Israel.” For the West Bank show (I won’t be dealing with Gaza), just choosing the term to describe the area is more challenging. Depending on your outlook, the region is called Judea and Samaria, The West Bank, Occupied Territories, Palestinian Territories, or Palestine. My working title is simply “Palestine.” Since this will be a half-hour episode in my travel series that treats the West Bank as a fascinating place to explore, what do you think is the best name for the land where Palestinians live west of the Jordan River, and why?
Second: The working title of the hour-long special is “The Holy Land: Israelis and Palestinians Today.” I want to use a form of the word Palestine in some way, but in reference to the people rather than the political unit — it makes it less contentious. Any advice on this one?
And third: I’ve been reading and watching documentaries and learning a lot about the region in preparation for our shoot. I’d love some recommendations on short videos or books that provide good cultural context for my work here. I don’t need material that tries to make you anti anybody.
I’ll be blogging during the trip and I’m excited to take you along on what promises to be a challenging and fascinating journey. Thanks and stay tuned.
Leon Uris’s “The Haj”, tho written several decades ago, gave me a better grasp of the cultural differences between the two peoples…with respect of both. I thought it very insightful. I read it recently and thought it pretty “timeless”.
Bon Voyage.
I think it should be called ” Life as a Palestinian”, it is very confusing for most unless you really study the middle east. It seems like most contention comes from the land. And I think that when you talk about real people there is more compassion.
Between Jerusalem and Jordan
rick,
describing israel with a positive descriptor and not doing the same with palestine seems to put an unwanted bias against the palestinians.
i liked the way you portrayed iran a while back. you focused on the people and culture and not the politics. good luck with your new endeavor. i like that you stick you neck out for fairness…just don’t get your head cut off.
~a fan
linda
Rick, I have only been a few times for work. The Crusader city of Akko was kind of neat. There are so many angles you can view that areas from hence so much confusion: Crusaders/Muslims; Jews/Palestinians; Christians/Jews/Muslims; contentious neighbors; 67 war and expansion. Best of luck sorting thru it. Mostly, I was surprised by the animosity between the religious right and the work a day secular folks (vast majority) because of the right to not work or serve in the military. Then the rise and fall of the communes. I am still in awe of the food productivity of the place. My most interesting sit e was driving along the Jordan border and seeing the lush Jordan valley and the steep rise of the mountains on the other side of the fence. You have your hands full. Though I am Christian, the call to prayer is still a cool sound.
I visited Israel and Palestine 5 years ago and whatever you call it be sure to refer to it as Palestine. From what I remember the people there call themselves Palestinians.
I think you are spot on for the second title about the Holy Land and would not change that.
Leaving for your best of Italy tour tomorrow! Very excited!
As a Palestinian born, Arab American I’d like to thank you for wanting to show the rich cultural beauty of both people!
1. My suggestion for a title, since you’re calling the Israel segment, “The Best of Israel” then why not “The Best of Palestine” for the Palestinian segment.
2. I really like your title “The Holy Land: Israelis and Palestinians Today.” It gives equality to both people which humanizes and acknowledges both sides exist. It doesn’t feel that you are taking any political stance or bias.
Good luck with the film. I look forward to seeing it!
1. I could go along with “Occupied Territories” but since the UN now recognizes the “State of Palestine” and the “Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations” I think you should use Palestine. (I note that the only other entity with similar status is the “Holy See” i.e. Vatican.)
2. How about just “Israelis and Palestinians Today”?
I lived in Israel for a few years and now live back in the U.S. I guess if you are calling one show The Best of Israel”, you could call the other show “The Best of Palestine” but the uncomfortable thing you will have to deal with is that there really isn’t a country of Palestine at this time. Legally, I think it is called “the Palestinian Territories” but of course you can ask someone from the US State Department!
When Palestinians go to the UN, they have a flag of Palestine and they represent themselves as coming from a country called Palestine. But I’m not sure that a tv show should be “jumping the gun” on naming a country that does not have an actual name as of yet because there is no negotiated settlement.
(Rick, for example, I know you visited the Basque country, and they want to be independent, but it would be wrong to make a show about where they live and not say they live in Spain. You would probably say “Life in Spain’s Basque Country” or whatever.)
So, my vote would be to just tell people you are going to go by the legal name of the area and maybe they would not be mad at you! “Life in the Palestinian Territories” is probably accurate. Under no circumstances should you call it Judea and Samaria! That is a name only accepted by people of a certain political opinion.
Also, I know of two wonderful places that you could visit that would reflect the cooperative themes of your Iran show:
1. The Arava Institute of Environmental Studies ( in the Negev Desert) : (My daughter went there a few years back) They accept college students from Jordan, Israel, Palestine, and other countries and they work together on enviromental things affecting the region–like water and migratory birds, and weather, etc. The networks they build will be the building blocks of future peace in the area, I think.
2. Givat Haviva Kibbutz –It is a school where Israeli Jews and Israeli Arabs go together and seek peaceful cooperation, among other things.
Enjoy your trip!
Re Israel recommendations, I recommend a book that is easy (made for young adults) because it is a “graphic history” of the state of Israel with lots of fabulous illustrations and quick facts for someone who does not want to read a huge tome:
Homeland: The Illustrated History of the State of Israel by Marc Wolfman. It won a number of awards.
As far as a short video– there is one that is 55 minutes called “Israel Inside: How a Small Nation Makes a Big Difference” narrated by a Harvard professor named Tal Ben Shachar. There is also ten minute version on youtube. He talks about technological innovation and modern Israeli inventions and the interesting things going on, etc.
I do accept as true with all of the concepts you have introduced for your post. They are really convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are too brief for novices. May just you please lengthen them a bit from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.
I like this web blog very much, Its a really nice post to read and find info . “Nunc scio quit sit amor.” by Virgil.
How about a tour of the great libraries of Europe such as the British Library, the Vatican Library etc.?
I think the Best of Palestine will grab people’s attention and get viewers. Not many people combine ‘Best’ and ‘Palestine’ in the same thought. So glad you are covering this area. Your program on Iran was wonderful at revealing the people and reach many who would otherwise might have never seen the ‘ordinary’ side of life in Iran and the non-politicians.
Looking forward to your talk in Rochester this Thursday!
how about title of ‘the other Palestine’ or just ‘peoples of Palestine’ ?
I assume you’re not calling the half-hour Palestine show, “The Best of Palestine”, because you’re not actually covering ALL the Palestinian territory; therefore, it really couldn’t be called, “The Best of…”?
It still should have a positive title, something like:
Palestine: Rediscovering Ancient Beauty
Palestine: A New Look at Ancient Beauty
I like the working title for the hour-long special, “The Holy Land: Israelis and Palestinians Today”.
I would like to see “The Holy Land” remain in the title.
Good luck. Have a wonderful trip. :-)
Hi, Rick! As a Palestinian-American I am so happy you are visiting and filming in these areas, shedding lights on these topics. If it is as good as the Iran special (which totally changed my views on the country and actually made me want to visit it!), I know it will open eyes and ears to the sensitive issues the Holy Land faces.
In terms of titles, how about…
“Through the Holy Land,” perhaps with “21st Century Life in Biblical Lands” or something similar.
Best of Palestine works as well!
Good luck! And shukran!
-Justin
I would say just call it “Palestine” and be done with it. Most people will know what you’re talking about. You’ll never please everyone, but this will probably offend the least number of people.
Rick-
Since you’ll be updating viewers on today’s Palestine today, how about “Today’s Palestine,” “Palestine Today,” or “Modern Palestine” ?
Of course, either title could make the footage seem dated 20 years from now, but even your classic European episodes from 2 decades ago remain largely vibrant and informative.
Good luck with the filming and thanks for tackling an important project.
Blood Brothers, Elias Chacour. My friend Cindy shared this book, highly recommend for human context. We’re looking forward to your Tues. talk in Fargo!
Rick,
This is a fabulous idea. I was in Israel and Palestine two months ago and loved every minute of my visit. (I hope you received my postcard!) For about 10 years, I had wanted to visit the Holy Land, and your postings earlier this year convinced me that it was finally time to go.
You asked for books that provide cultural context. When I travel, I always take one or two books, either fiction or non-fiction, that illuminate the societies I am visiting. I read “Basic Judaism” by Rabbi Milton Steinberg. His presentation of Judaism is lucid and detailed, but never tedious. He crystalizes the core beliefs and practices of Jews in terms of observance, reason, salvation and other issues. I have read the Tanakh, which is also known as the Old Testament, and other books on Jewish faith and experience. From them I had a decent perception of what Judaism entails. “Basic Judaism” contributed significantly to my understanding. The book has a primer quality, but it is never dry. Steinberg is analytical in his presentation but also thorough and loving. The book was written for Jews and non-Jews in mind.
When you do your TV series, you should highlight the Old City of Jerusalem because it is like nothing I have ever experienced. At the same time, show viewers the pedestrian-friendly, modern city. Take them to Ben Yahuda and Jaffa streets alive with people. This is important because some Americans have the view that Jerusalem is like a religious class, but the city is as cosmopolitan and lively as any city I have visited in Europe or the U.S.
There are so many sites worth showing viewers. The ones I enjoyed the most were the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the Masada site on the Dead Sea, the Old City souk in Jerusalem and Yad Vashem. Others I visited were also good stops.
I have travelled for years to the Middle East. I would recommend calling your segments, “Traveling in Isreal” and Traveling in Palestine” not the best of anything. The region is special and travelling there has many unique aspects. I am sure your perspective and show will, just like the special on Iran, highlight the uniqueness of the region. The area is fascinating, I just do not think labeling it, “the best of _____”
will do it justice.
I just heard on the PBS Newshour about a Palestinian settlement that is being built in Rawabi by an American Palestinian. He’s doing it without support from any government. He says tired of waiting for governments. It sounds like something you should check out.