When two young American Jews raised to unconditionally support Israel witness Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, it changes their lives. They join a movement of young American Jews campaigning to redefine Judaism’s relationship with Israel and revealing a deepening generational divide over modern Jewish identity. Israelism has sparked enormous debate on American campuses even before the events of October 7, 2023.
It follows Simone Zimmerman, who visited Israel as a teenager, and Eitan who joined the Israeli army after graduating from high school as they learn about the reality of Palestinians and radically revise their views. It includes interviews with academics and political activists, including Noam Chomsky, Cornel West, Lara Friedman and a former director of the Anti-Defamation League, Abe Foxman.
Contributors suggest that the narrative that young American Jews are nurtured almost entirely erases the existence of Palestinians through education and advocacy, sometimes involving groups organizing free trips to Israel partially funded by the Israeli government. This film depicts the influence of this narrative on attitudes toward Israel, not only in the United States but around the world.
