OCCUPATION 101 (documentary), 2006
directed by Sufyan Omeish and Abdallah Omeish
narrated by Alison Weir, founder of If Americans Knew
USA, 90 minutes, English
Showtimes: Friday, Aug 22, 2014 at 7 pm
Tickets are $10.
CRS (Center for Remembering & Sharing) invites you to screen and discuss OCCUPATION 101, a multi-award-winning documentary film about the current and historical root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Unlike any other film ever produced on the conflict, OCCUPATION 101 presents a comprehensive analysis of the facts and hidden truths surrounding the never ending controversy and dispels many of its long-perceived myths and misconceptions.
The film details life under Israeli military rule, the role of the United States in the conflict, and the major obstacles that stand in the way of a lasting and viable peace. The roots of the conflict are explained through first-hand on-the-ground experiences from leading Middle East scholars, peace activists, journalists, religious leaders and humanitarian workers, many of them Jewish, whose voices have too often been suppressed in American media outlets (see complete list below).
CRS is not on one side or against anyone. Our Center exists to create events and experiences wherein we can together remember that we are all the same, deserving of only love, able to give and receive only love, regardless of what our perceptions may show us. This is easier to do when we take time to really see and understand one another, and it is essential to do so whenever we perceive conflict. We have decided to show this particular film not to tell anyone what to think but rather to facilitate conversation and understanding and promote unity and peace. Many Jewish, Israeli, Palestinian and American-based Middle East scholars, peace activists, journalists, religious leaders and humanitarian workers share first-hand on-the-ground experiences and explanations about the roots of the conflict so it is our hope that this film can be a reasonable starting point for further study and conversation. Please feel comfortable and welcome to offer constructive criticism and share any concerns you may have during the Q&A following the screening. We will do our best to establish an environment of openness, inclusiveness, respect and love.
Topics covered include the first wave of Jewish immigration from Europe in the 1880’s, the 1920 tensions, the 1948 war, the 1967 war, the first Intifada of 1987, the Oslo Peace Process, Settlement expansion, the role of the United States Government, the second Intifada of 2000, the separation barrier and the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, as well as many heart wrenching testimonials from victims of this tragedy.
Watch the trailer:
 

 
Occupation 101 features a leading list of some of the most credible Middle East scholars, historians, peace activists, journalists, and humanitarian workers:

Dr. Albert Aghazarian. Director of Public Relations at Birzeit University. Palestinian Armenian.
Ambassador James E. Akins. Former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
Rabbi Arik Ascherman. Rabbis for Human Rights (Israeli group).
Dr. William Baker (theologian). Christians and Muslims for Peace.
Bishop Allen Bartlett, Jr. Diocese of Washington.
Phyllis Bennis. Institute for Policy Studies, and co-chair of the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation.
Peter Boukaert. Director of Emergencies at Human Rights Watch.
Sharon Burke. Former Advocacy Director of Amnesty International.
Professor Noam Chomsky. Linguist – MIT Professor.
Father Drew Christiansen. United States Catholic Conference.
Cindy and Craig Corrie. Parents of the late solidarity activist Rachel Corrie.
Douglas Dicks. Catholic Relief Services in Jerusalem. Outreach program director.
Richard Falk. 2001 United Nations Fact-finding Commission in the West Bank and Gaza.
Paul Findley. U.S. Congressman 1961-1983.
Thomas Getman. World Vision International.
Neta Golan. Israeli co-founder of International Solidarity Movement.
Jeff Halper. Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions.
Amira Hass. Israeli journalist – Ha’aretz.
Doug Hostetter. Fellowship of Reconciliation.
Kathy Kamphoefner. Christian Peacemaker Team.
Adam Keller. Gush Shalom – Israeli Peace Group.
Hava Keller. Woman’s Organization for Political Prisoners (Israeli group).
Professor Rashid Khalidi. School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia Univ.
Peretz Kidron. Israeli journalist; Yesh Gvul (Israeli peace group).
Rabbi Michael Lerner. Founder & editor-in-chief of Tikkun magazine.
Rabbi Rebecca Lillian. Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace.
Roger Normand. Center for Economic and Social Rights.
Allegra Pacheco. Israeli human rights lawyer.
Professor Ilan Pappe. Israeli historian – University of Haifa (now University of Exeter).
Dr. Iyad Sarraj. Prominent Palestinian psychiatrist.
Yael Stein. B’Tselem – Israeli human rights group.
Gila Svirsky. Coalition of Women for a Just Peace. Israeli.
Ambassador Edward Walker. Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel.
Alison Weir. Founder of If Americans Knew.

OCCUPATION 101 was honored at a number of national and international film festivals:
Winner of the “Golden Palm” Award (highest honor given by jury) and for “Best Editing” at the 2007 International Beverly Hills Film Festival.[7][8] Winner of the ‘Artivist Award’ for Best Feature Film under the category of Human Rights at the 2006 Artivist Film Festival & Awards in Hollywood.
Winner of the Best Documentary Award (Special Recognition) at the 2007 New Orleans International Human Rights Film Festival.
Winner of the Best Feature Film Award at the 2006 River’s Edge Film Festival.[9] Winner of the Best Documentary Feature Award at 2006 The Dead Center Film Festival.
Winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at 2006 East Lansing Film Festival.
Winner of the John Michaels Memorial Award at the 2006 Big Muddy Film Festival.
Learn moreWatch trailerOCCUPATION 101 web site
 
August 201422 7 pm