Movie: The Gatekeepers

The Gatekeepers: an Israeli Oscar nominated documentary.   This is a remarkable 97 minute film that if you have any interest in Israel, the Middle East or just foreign policy decision making, you should see.   The film maker, Dror Moreh, somehow obtained interviews with the past six heads from 1980 of Shin Bet, the Israeli security service.   I understand some of them had never sat for interviews before.   The interviews are interspersed with historical documentary footage.  This is not a talking heads film.   Instead, the points being made by the Shin Bet leaders regarding the occupation of the Palestinian territories are illustrated with contemporary film stock and very inventive computer-generated imagery.  I am curious whether you are able to spot what is computer generated as opposed to actual historical footage.  Note that this movie also confronts internal Jewish terrorism.   Shin Bet is more than a secret service organization and closer to our FBI.   Each of these guys are brutally honest about the political situation they operate within and the lack of moral courage as to many of the Israeli politicians.   There is one major exception: Yitzhak Rabin.   The movie shows how an assassination can change the course of history.   While I’m not a believer in the great men theory of history, there is no question certain individuals can change the course.   Rabin almost became one of those individuals but his vanity in not wearing a bullet proof vest as recommended halted a march to peace.  Interesting, there is not significant commentary on Ariel Sharon’s actions in pulling Israel out of Gaza and his indications of taking unilateral action in the West Bank when he had the stroke although Shin Bet information was a significant factor in Sharon’s decision making regarding both subjects.  Both Rabin and Sharon understood the inherent  problem with ruling over a population that over time is going to be larger than the Jewish population: regardless of all other issues this is a critical factor that this movie directly addresses.   Key to understanding the truth of the film message is all six men have reached similar conclusions.   As to why my comment about foreign policy is that one of the themes presented is that nothing bad comes from conversations with your enemies.  At a minimum, both sides learn that the other is not the devil or the anti-Christ.  The film also illustrates how basing foreign policy decisions on politics can lead to serious long term negative consequences.  Too much of what has occurred is the result of tactics over strategy with Rubin and Sharon being the exception.    Seeing this film will provide an education no matter how much you think you may know about Israel and Palestinian politics.   Further, the documentary holds your attention for the entire 97 minutes.  Unfortunately, I’ve heard Benjamin Netanyahu has not seen this film.  Final point: I cannot imagine any current Arab government allowing a film such as Gatekeepers being made.