Educational Media Reviews Online

When one thinks of the Arab-Israeli conflict, one does not immediately think of Canada. And yet, as both of these films demonstrate, the conflict is indeed global reaching well beyond the borders of the Middle East. Both films deal with the violence that occurred in September 2002 when former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to speak at Concordia University in Montreal. Both films go beyond that confrontation and delve into the complicated issue of Jews versus Arabs. The violence and hatred at Concordia are reflections of what is happening in the Middle East.

Discordia focuses on Samar Elatrash - the Canadian born son of Palestinian refugees, Noah Sarna - an orthodox Jew, and Aaron Mate - a Jew whose family survived the Holocaust but supports the Palestinian cause. All three are passionately sure of their beliefs and in many cases their frustration boils to the surface as they try to get their points across. Focusing on three individuals, the film takes on a personal touch that is in stark contrast to the images seen on television news programs. The feelings and emotions of the individuals involved are powerful reminders that this conflict is centuries old and will not be resolved soon. The film follows the three students as Netanyahu prepares to speak until the election of a new student government a year later. The film is directed by two former Concordia communications students. The film strives to present a balanced viewpoint of the three major players.

Confrontation at Concordia features Samar Elatrash as well; however, he is presented in a more fanatical and anti-Semitic light than in Discordia. The film sparked a great deal of controversy when it was aired by Global Television. So much so that the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council received nineteen complaints after it was broadcast. This film gives a more global perspective of the issues than Discordia by providing historical background for the conflict. It explains that the recent outbreak of violence in the Middle East is a result of the breakdown of the Oslo Peace Process in 2000. As a result, the Palestinian intifada provoked Israel to begin a series of counter measures to stamp out terrorist attacks. As a result, Palestinians at Concordia, led by Samer Elatrash launched an offensive against the campus Jewish organization Hillel. In many ways this film is less objective than Discordia. For example, there are scenes of current marches and protests featuring posters that the narrator - Martin Himel - compares with scenes of Nazi occupied Europe prior to and during World War II. Martin Himel was born in Canada but has spent the last twenty years in Israel.

The filmaking is excellent in both videos and should provide a vehicle for discussion on any college campus.