Defamation – a film on antisemitism

Shown on More4 on 12 and 12 January 2010. See again here (until 19 January only?).

Channel 4 blurb: “The True Stories strand, which showcases the best international feature documentaries, continues with Yoav Shamir’s controversial, personal exploration which asks, “What is anti-Semitism today?” Is it a real and continuous danger that requires eternal vigilance or a tactic used by right-wing Zionists to discredit and cow their critics?

Among those he interviews are Abe Foxman, head of the Anti-Defamation League, who is adamant that anti-Semitism is rife and must be exposed; while Norman Finkelstein, author of The Holocaust Industry: The Exploitation of Jewish Suffering, claims that anti-Semitism is being used for political gain.

Opinions differ and tempers flare but Shamir’s directness and wry humour, as shown in his other films including Checkpoint, 5 Days and Flipping Out, elevate the mood as he tackles extremely difficult questions.”

The film was dicussed on Comment is Free by:

Antony Lerman Defamation v Anti-Defamation:Yoav Shamir’s documentary offers a more nuanced view than the ADL’s identification of antisemitism with hostility to Israel

and David Hirsh I’m no hero for defending Palestinians: Yes, I stood up against abusing the rights of Palestinians, but so do many Israelis – a fact that Yoav Shamir’s film ignores