8 Must Watch Documentaries about Israel

Intro: Documentaries about Israel

Israel is a country that is situated in the Eastern Mediterranean, and it has a population of approximately 8.3 million people. It is bordered by Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and the Palestinian territories. The country's history dates back thousands of years to the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Modern-day Israel covers an area about twice the size of New Jersey.

Israel has one of the most diverse populations in the world, with Jews being 77% of its citizens.
Israel contains over 400 archaeological sites with 5,000 years worth of architectural heritage including synagogues, churches, mosques, monasteries, forts and castles.
The capital city, Jerusalem, is also considered holy to Jews as well as Muslims due to its significance in Judaism and Christianity respectively.
Israel has been fighting for independence since 1948 after being recognized by France as a sovereign state on May 14th 1948 and later recognized by many other countries around the world.

In this post, we'll learn more about this country through a collection of documentaries about Israel.

1. History of Israel Documentary

A country that has always been contested, Israel is steeped in a complex and often violent history. Israel's roots go back to biblical times: many of its earliest inhabitants were Jewish, and it's considered the ancestral homeland of the Jews. The modern state of Israel was founded in 1948 to provide a safe haven for those fleeing persecution in Europe after World War II. It became an independent nation on May 14th, 1948. This is where the story begins...

2. Israel: Birth of a Nation

The Israeli Declaration of Independence was proclaimed on May 14, 1948. This important event in the history of Israel and the Jewish people is captured in this documentary film.
The film is a record of the last days of the British Mandate and what led up to the declaration, as well as an eyewitness account to one of the greatest moments in Jewish history.

3. Israel: Dream of the future

As a small country, Israel has always had to fight. For its existence firstly, then for its defense and development as well as the region’s history being steeped in incredible wealth because it's been a crossroads for major civilizations and religions which have contributed to Europe, Arabic and Asian worlds with their commerce. Pierre Brouwers has scoured this land made rich by immigration from everywhere, including those that came before wars (such as Jews) who've created an interesting culture there that is ever keen on shaping their future through the importance they give the past.

4. The 50 Years War Israel and the Arabs: Part 1

The Arab-Israeli War lasted from 1948-1949, when the newly formed state of Israel was attacked by neighboring Arab states. It was a war that history remembers as a stalemate, in which both sides lost considerable numbers of people and property. There were also the consequences of the Jewish people being expelled from their homes in what is now known as Palestine. The Israelis were able to hold on to territory in western Palestine, but they had to give up territory in eastern Palestine in order to appease the Egyptians. In the end, it wasn't until after the Six Day War two years later that Israel secured their boundaries. They did this by capturing more land from Syria and Jordan, making Jerusalem part of its territory for the first time since 1948.

5. The 50 Years War Israel and the Arabs: Part 2

Ever since 1948, Israel and Palestine have been engaged in a conflict that has never been solved. The main dispute between the two is over the land of Israel. It is a war that has been going on for decades.
The original focus of the conflict was on territory – who would own what – but it soon became about more than just land. To learn more about this ongoing war, keep reading.

Enjoy the second part of this remarkable series.

6. The Complex History Of The Israeli–Palestinian Conflict

As the war went on, Britain's double-dealings during WW1 triggered tragedy for Arabs and Jews in the Middle East. This is a story of intrigue among rival empires; misguided strategies; conflicting promises to Palestine and Israel, which created a legacy of bloodshed that determined their fate.

7. Gaza: The Fight For Israel (Middle East Documentary)

The Israeli government attempted to remove 8,500 Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip in 2005. The operation split Israel down the middle, with one side believing that it was a religious duty to settle land and the other believing they were an obstacle to peace. This observational documentary follows General Dov Weissglas as he is faced with this major challenge of his career-and life!

8. Netanyahu at War - Israeli Documentary

"Netanyahu at War" is a documentary that tells the story of Israel's prime minister from his earliest days as a sharp-tongued, controversial Israeli official to his first term as prime minister.

The film uses interviews with friends and family, rare home movies and other archival material to take viewers on a journey through Netanyahu's life. From a young man fighting in Israel's war of independence, to the country's youngest ambassador, to the leader of the right-wing Likud party -- this film reveals for the first time how Netanyahu's personal history has shaped his political destiny.

Netanyahu has been photographed as a patriot and peacemaker, as well as an aggressive hardliner. But who is he really? "Netanyahu at War" charts the arc of his life from soldier to politician and explores what drives him: family ties, religious faith or a sense of destiny?