Jeremy Hardy vs the Israeli Army

On Thursday, 16 September, the film “Jeremy Hardy vs the Israeli Army” was shown in Bethlehem University. The film is a documentary that tells the story of international peace keepers coming to the West Bank, and to Bethlehem in particular, during the Israeli invasion in 2002 to protect Palestinian civilians.

Even though Jeremy Hardy is a comedian, the film is a documentary, and it depicts the human tragedy that took place during the invasion and how the international observers strived to make a difference by confronting the soldiers with banners of peace.

The film maker is Laila Sansour, a Bethlehem native living in Britain. The film is the only Palestinian documentary to go on national release in the U.K. and it was shown in the British Parliament.

After the film was shown, the audience in Bethlehem University held a discussion with Laila Sansour, who was present for the screening. During the invasion in 2002 Laila worked with the foreign nationals in Bethlehem. Laila answered questions from the audience about the challenges associated with remaining humane during times of war and maintaining a coherent vision in front of unbearable pressure and violence.