Cartoon Villains
December 16, 2005 | Aussie Dave | Comments 2
Jewish blogger Dov Bear writes about the new Spielberg film Munich:
Professional Jews like David Brooks and Leon Weiselter are already objecting loudly to the message in Munich Steven Spielberg’s new movie about Israeli counter-terrorism. I expect the blogosphere won’t be far behind. And why not? If the professional Jews are to be believed (I have not seen the movie) Munich does something very few Jewish bloggers can tolerate: It commits the impardonable sin of suggesting that Arabs are people.—-The problem, I think, is this: Zionists of a certain age and generation think of the Arabs as cartoon villians, with greased mustaches and diabolical plans. To them, Palestenians are symbols, not people. And this tendancy to simplify, to rob people of their humanity, cuts both ways: The IDF and Mossad, in their eyes, are flawless, and faultless, the just and glorious warriers.So I can understand why a movie that tells a different story, and shows how people are often more alike than different, might be something of a shock to their delicate systems.
If I was to make a film about Dov, then perhaps it would be named Strawman, because that is what he has set up.
My problem with Munich (based on what I have heard) – and I assume it is the same for many others – is not that it portrays Arabs as people, but that it treats terrorists as people, or at least on a level footing with those sent out to kill them. This is wrong, and it sends the wrong message.
While Dov suggests that us Zionists have a proclivity towards stereotyping Arabs as cartoon villains, it is Dov who is guilty of stereotyping Zionists as people who think Israel can do no wrong, and Arabs can do no right. And this is simply not true.
Take yours truly for example. I am a staunch Zionist. I believe that Israel is the religious and historical homeland of the Jewish people. I believe terror needs to be fought with all of our might and resources. But here’s the newsflash, Dov. I do not hate Arabs nor Muslims. I pity those who just want to get on with their lives, and share their hope that the situation improves for them. I am fully aware that they are people. I encounter them here, I interact with them..I even work with them. I do not apply any preconceived notions to them, and judge them on their merits.
However, I am not afraid to judge those who do the wrong thing. Those who murder in the name of religion. Those who seek to wipe us from the map. They are cartoon villains. They are mindless droids programmed to destroy. At least they forfeit the right to be considered anything else the minute they try to kill innocent people.
Dov, perhaps it is time you stopped thinking of us as the ones with greased mustaches and diabolical plans.
Filed Under: General
About the Author: An Australian immigrant to Israel, Aussie Dave has been blogging since early 2003.
Dear Dave, beautifully said. I agree with every word. Maybe I know the “wrong” people but I didn’t meet people who hate. And I’m here for nearly 20 years. I heard enough Israelis talk about Arabs. I met angry, disappointed, desperate, sad and disheartened people. But also empathic, insightful and understanding people. The stereotype of the “mutual hate” is, from my experience, a simple but wrong concept.
I didn’t see the film yet. I think we should try to understand how terrorists “tick” (sorry for the pun) to find a way to make them stop. But human empathy? Don’t waste it on them.
Well said, sir, well said……..