James Pastouna

We were in Israel and Palestine making a film about two women Sumaya Farhat-Naser and Gila Svirsky, two peace activists doing their best so that Palestinians and Israelis could live together in harmony.

Since my time of filming the only development seems to be the building of the wall. Nothing has happened as regards a settlement.

And each year a new generation of people feel aggrieved.

I was helped by an African Catholic African priest. Got press credentials and warning about where and not to film.

Leaving Ben Gurion airport I had to get the customs people to sign a camera document called a carnet. To get to the customs people I somehow ended up walking through an orthodox Jewish prayer room and then an official signed the document. I felt very nervous. After leaving the very orthodox Jews from the prayer rooms were following me. I walked quicker, too. Was really worried. I should not have gone into the prayer room. ‘Stop’, ‘please stop’ one shouted. I became really worried.

“You forgot something”, I think.

“I’m sorry, I…”

“This, maybe?” 

A young man gives me our precious 30 000 DM TV camera!

Since 2003 in my opinion nothing much has changed, which makes me think of a quote: Rodney King : “I just want to say, you know, can we all get along?”