Mind, Body, Soul....War

In the United States the feeling of Jew vs. Arab is voiced but not seen. Arab-Americans are concerned for the well-fair of their people, and they worry about the Palestinians. Demonstrations against government actions, and attempts by non-profits to show dissatisfaction with US foreign policy are commonplace. However, since it is America, and Israel gets the largest amount of international aid, there isn’t much said about human relationships. The concentration is political.

In Egypt it’s a different story. There are people alive today that were directly effected by the ’56,’67, and ‘73 wars against Israel. Families were in mourning over those lost in battle, and a country felt defeated even when they won. So, Anti-Semitism runs rampant. Yet the ties between Egypt and Israel have not been severed. Not by a long shot. Nadia Kamel, in her documentary Salata Baladi (Country Salad) shows just how strong this tie can be.

Kamel’s mother, Naila, is the daughter of a Christian mother and Jewish father. Naila converted to Islam after marrying a Muslim Egyptian, and has lived in Egypt ever since. So what kind of trouble could a little old grandmother create? Well when she decides she wants to visit her family in Israel, shit is bound to hit the fan. Both the Jewish and Muslim communities have been in uproar about the documentary. Both sides reject the idea that actual humans live across the border. As a result this award winning film is being attacked from all angles.

I wasn’t sure what I would think when I was told about the film. I like to think of myself as a humanitarian. I love everyone and don’t want to see anyone hurt. If you have family in Israel or anywhere else for that matter, you should go visit them. That is what Islam teaches me, that is what I want to believe. It was difficult though. Naila’s in-laws, when they learned she was to take the journey, showed sadness, confusion, and said “something died inside.” Although my reaction was not as intense, I felt the same way.

Naila takes the journey, and visits her family in Tel Aviv. Her cousin is happy and excited to see her. Tears of joy and shouts of enthusiasm fill the senses. Both women are excited to see the family they had given up hope on. Yet if you take a look around, at the rest of the Jewish family, animosity can be seen clearly in their faces. At one point, a woman in the background looked like she wanted to slam the camera into the camera-man’s face. It was then that I had an epiphany, kind of.

I hate the Israeli state just as much as any Arab and Muslim. For whatever reasons, some my own and some shared by the rest of the community, I do not want them there. Yet the film showed that bitterness against the state needs to be put aside for the moments when people come together. If we hate Jews and Jews hate us, there will be no peace. My religion tells me that we will never be in alliance. I believe it. My religion also tells me to treat everyone with respect, regardless of whether they are your enemies or not. This is what I, and my Arab and Muslim brethren, need to do.

Salata Baladi opened my eyes to my own prejudices. I’m not over them, but now I know they are there.