B’Tselem has distributed more than 150 cameras to Palestinian families living in places where tensions are high, for example, near Israeli settlements.
The footage is chilling. In one particularly serious incident, four masked settlers with clubs were filmed attacking three members of the Nawai’ah family, who were grazing their flock on private Palestinian land south of the Israeli settlement of Susiya, near Hebron.
As a result of the video, a criminal investigation was opened and a case was filed in the Israeli High Court. The case was subsequently closed on grounds that the offenders were unknown. Nevertheless, there are many other instances where footage has been used to open military and police investigations that may have not otherwise been possible. Today, the Israeli authorities regularly request copies of videos from B’Tselem to assist their investigations. The films have become an important step towards greater accountability of Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
The distribution of video cameras to Palestinians has also had an important impact on their lives. First and foremost, the presence of video cameras acts as an important deterrent to violence: people are less likely to commit crimes when cameras are around. Second, it has become an important non-violent tool for Palestinians. Third, it has played an important role in empowering women and children, who are the main beneficiaries of the project. And finally, it has harnessed creativity and interest in filmmaking.
I think this is a groundbreaking initiative. For the first time, we can see with our own eyes what is happening on the ground. Let’s face it, we have all become so distrustful about what people say and write about what is happening in the region. It seems almost impossible to separate the facts from the politics, and the politics from the emotions. With these films, we are given firsthand evidence. And if this helps to lessen the violence, well then all the better!
So what do you think? How do you react to this kind of raw footage?
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Always with caution .....the camera is out of context by definition.
ReplyDeleteThe Court is not the issue. It is all about politics and leadership on both sides.
It is interesting to note however that b'Tselem has been accused of editing the "before" footage of many events. B'Tselem like most organisations also has its own political agenda. It is also worthy of note that no cameras were distributed to Jewish families. I am sure last years bludgeoning to death of a 13 year old boy, by a Palestinian with an axe - who had entered the boys Yishuv home, while the boy was playing - would also provide equally horrifying footage.
ReplyDeleteI've always liked initiatives/project which could be summarized by "don't hate the media, be the media. That's Indymedia's approach. Media were and are still weapons of resistance.
ReplyDeleteThough, I agree with the comment above. This would be much more balanced if cameras were given to both sides.
At least those footages can be used as evidences in front of criminal court which is a good point too.
In terms of this specific video editing, I don't see the purpose of re-showing the scene (in slow motion) where the masked settlers starts beating the sheppard.
Thanks to all for your comments. Some responses.
ReplyDeleteFirst, both sides do have cameras. The settler communities have had surveillance cameras for a long time, and now they are carrying around their own cameras (see the picture in the "visiting the hot spots" slideshow). Second, the Israeli authorities (IDF and police) spend significant time and resources protecting settlers in the West Bank. The Israeli authorities, however, do not afford the same protection to Palestinians in the event of settler violence. Fourth, for public awareness purposes, B'tselem makes short films to highlight the event, but they have an archive of 1500 hours of footage where you can see the before and after footage of all the scenes.
Obviously videos have their limits and must always be put into context, but I still think it is an excellent tool for gathering information and increasing public awareness. Finally, for me the best thing about the video project is that it has been a deterrent to violence.