Question:
"Why was
communication essential to understanding among the children of Promises?"
Promises is a
documentary that features the interviewing of seven children within a short
distance of Jerusalem, with some of them living in Israel as Jews, while others
lived in Palestine as Muslims. Both religions argue over the dominance of the
sacred city, occasionally warring against each other. The Jewish children hated
Muslims, while the Muslims despised the Jews. The Jews occasionally revolted
against the Muslims, suppressing the Islamic forces that went against them. The
Muslims of Palestine, however, had to defend themselves against the Jews with
the little resources they had. They were kept from revolting against Israel
because of the checkpoints that surrounded Jewish territory and blocked them.
They only granted access to Jewish military and international tourists,
preventing any sort of contact between them.
The interviewed children did not
desire any form of contact with the opposite religion at first. The Jewish
children believed in defending their land, which was theirs according to
religion, while the Palestinian Muslims desired to keep the city for
themselves, which was originally theirs until the Jews banished them and
destroyed their former homes to clear evidence. However, after meeting with
children of the other religion (with the exception of Shlomo, who refused to
negotiate with Muslims about the situation), most had changed behavior,
especially seen in the epilogue, filmed a couple years later.
Yarko and Daniel – Jew, brothers. Entered
the army to support their country, glad to talk to Muslims and negotiate since
the group meeting in 2001, but they are considered enemies when they are
ordered to be killed.
Moishe – Jew, believed in deporting
Muslims to protect both sides from further harm, yet the Jews would be the
overall owner of the city. He still believes in removing the Jews, since he
believes that Israel belongs to the Jews.
Rahel – Jew, Moishe´s sister, also
known as the “chair girl”. Thinks opposite to Moishe, rejecting deportation.
Believes in erasing the past and moving on, no matter the cost.
Shlomo – Jew, orthodox, rejecting any
form of communication whatsoever. The Jews were destined to keep the land, so
any intruders must be stopped. He did not want to negotiate.
Mahmud – Muslim, originally afraid of
Jews, expressing hatred towards them, and not really willing to converse, but
then became more outgoing. Argues that the Jews are just like the Muslims.
Still believed that the land belonged to Palestine, but is willing to perhaps
work something out. “Peace between hearts that see wars every day is
impossible. It´s impossible to forgive or forget”.
Sanabel – Muslim, father imprisoned
by Jews. Freed later, but then her brother is imprisoned. Believes in spreading
ideas through speech, not war. No matter the cost, she decided to persuade her
ideas until others are more compassionate. Loves peace, but sees a dark future
ahead.
Faraj – Muslim, moved to the U.S. in
2001. Lived with a Jewish family while his true family was being killed in a
conflict. “If we can share the same plate, why can´t we share the same planet?”
As seen above, children such as
Sanabel, Faraj, and Rahel would relate with each other the best, while Yarko,
Daniel and Mahmud would present minor hesitations against others. Moishe and
Shlomo would be completely against opposing opinions and defend their own,
deciding that peace is not an option.
As a student who practices neither
Jewish nor Islamic beliefs, I relate the most to both Faraj and Rahel, who both
share visions of peace. I also believe in simply erasing the past conflicts and
living in peace and harmony, because the only real enemies I see are the ones
who believe in generating constant war to solve problems. In the United States,
I can relate more to Rahel´s situation, since the only conflicts that happen
are started by other countries, such as the Afghanistan War. When it comes to
personal challenges and issues, however, I relate much more with Faraj, since I
simply desire to make a living and not cause conflict, while at the same time,
pity the soldiers who fight the opposing forces. I also strive to generate
peace between America and African/Central Asian forces, as we can (according to
Faraj) “meet in the middle and eat fish”. The only people I am not willing to
tolerate are the ones who refuse to try and cooperate and reach an agreement.
Communication is not needed to start a war, but without this communication
between others, peace cannot exist between two opposing forces.
