Cavan IPSC set to host ‘Israelism’ docu screening
The Cavan branch of Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign is hosting a fundraiser and community education evening on March 6 with a screening of the ‘Israelism’ documentary.
Secretary of Cavan IPSC Megan De Siún said one of the main questions the group hears is “How can people do such awful things?”
“We thought that by engaging with people and showing how Zionism is indoctrinated from childhood and how people grow up believing certain things and believing the way the world is this way, would be a really good way to start a bit of discourse.”
She says the same question was asked of Nazis - how could regular Germans sell out Jewish families hiding during the Holocaust?
“The answer for that is indoctrination,” she believes.
“It’s utilising that divine purpose of religion or some kind of uniting force to collectively hate a certain group and it’s just happening all over again.”
She said the documentary will serve as a “perfect way” for the group to “start that conversation”.
Produced by Aljazeera, the documentary it gives the perspectives of former Zionists, one of whom was an Israeli Defence Forces soldier.
“It’s told from their point of view of how they dismantled their own belief system. I think the best quote from the movie, one that really stuck with me is, ‘We entered Israel and we left from Palestine’.”
After the screening, there will be an opportunity for a discussion with people who have been to Gaza and the West Bank.
“More than anything, I think it’s an opportunity for a real group discussion rather than just getting up and leaving the cinema screen,” she said.
Fundraiser
The night also doubles up as a fundraiser for Gaza go Bragh, a charity organisation providing tents, drinking water, cash assistance and help with evacuations in Gaza.
On Sunday, it was reported that Israeli tanks entered the West Bank for the first time in over 20 years, something which Megan said sent “chills” up her spine.
“With something like this, it seems silly to hold a little film in Cavan but community-based groups and community-based organisations are how we keep these things personal.
“We nearly have to get beneath them [headlines] and talk to people, face to face.
“There’s a lot of misinformation that justifies inhumane and violent treatment of Palestinians and that misinformation is really, really important to talk about because it is the thing feeding all of this.”
The group will also hold a raffle and will sell merchandise to raise further funds. The screening will begin at 7pm at Odeon Cinema Cavan. Tickets cost €20 or €15 for students or unwaged people. To buy tickets for the event you can email ipsccavan@gmail.com or search Israelism Cavan on eventbrite.com