Posted on 07/25/2009 10:18:32 AM PDT by SmithL
The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival has come under siege after deciding to show a documentary about Rachel Corrie, a Washington state 23-year-old killed in 2003 while trying to prevent an Israeli military bulldozer from demolishing a Palestinian's home.
Whether Corrie naively put herself in harm's way in support of terrorists or was intentionally killed by the Israeli military is the nexus of the controversy.
Compounding the issue, festival organizers invited Corrie's mother, Cindy, to speak after today's showing at the Castro Theatre of the film "Rachel." It is one of 71 films at this year's festival, which includes two films profiling kidnapped Israeli soldiers.
The reaction has been outrage. The festival board's president stepped down from her role, opening-night ceremonies were boycotted by some, and Israel Consul General Akiva Tor said it was a "big mistake to invite Mrs. Corrie."
At the core of the debate are questions about how broadly Jews can discuss Israel within their own community - and how Jews represent Israel to the broader world. It is also overlaid with accusations of the "new anti-Semitism," prejudice that is disguised as particular criticisms of Israel, the only Jewish state.
"The furor is much larger than this one film or this one speaker," said Peter L. Stein, the festival's executive director. "It reveals a rift in our community that we all need to help understand and hopefully heal."
The 29-year-old festival is the oldest and largest Jewish film festival in the nation, yet it's also like a small family. The film festival's board includes members with close links to both the accusers and those accused of the new anti-Semitism.
Allegations of new anti-Semitism have been particularly vociferous from the Koret and Taube foundations, longtime backers of the festival.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
fyi
Time for another Rachel Corrie pancake breakfast.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=rachel+corrie+pancake+breakfast&aq=f&oq=&aqi=
St. Rachel the Flattened *ping*
Rachel Corrie Pancakes!Ha!
Did Mrs. Corrie spread some of that that sticky hate syrup on which she raised her daughter?
The movie will fall flat. It will crush her supporter, and level the indy movie playing field..
Yeah, I heard it was a bomb.
Rachel, subtitled Flatlander.
Rachel is a tragic example of children raised by ultra-lib parents.
What they are neglecting is the fact that she was not quite hurt enough to die until the Pallywackistinians had her in their ambulance.
Point 1. Rachel Corrie and her parents are leftist idiots. Yet,
Point 2. Why should I care what the Israel Consul General thinks? Is it usual for Israel's diplomats to comment on domestic issues in the USA?
LOL! Good one. I’m stealing it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
