BATTLE FOR THE HOLY LAND
1x2hr
Channel 4
May 2007
Paddy Ashdown is an expert on conflict resolution and divided communities. Until the making of this film, he had only ever visited Israel once and so came to this highly controversial area with a completely blank sheet of paper. He confronts the seemingly intractable stories involving the political struggles between the modern Israeli state and its Palestinian neighbours within east and west Jerusalem and the immediate neighbourhoods. Competing claims involve issues of land, settlement expansion, forced eviction, human rights and the long-term safety of the Israeli public after a sustained campaign of terror, with the new "Security Wall" dividing Israeli from Palestinian, Jew from Arab. Paddy meets with individuals, families and organisations, leading archaeologists, religious figures and senior political leaders on both sides, such as Dr Saeb Erekat the Chief Palestinian Negotiator and Ehud Barak, former Prime Minister of Israel. In the final part of this film, Lord Ashdown ends his four month investigation by putting forward a series of steps that could help lay the foundations for peace in this embattled city. Prod/Dir : DAVID BATTY; Exec Prods: RAY BRUCE & NICK STUART; Prod co: CTVC
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