Panel discussion with actor/filmmaker Muhammad Bakri following recent court ruling

On January 27, the Pluralistic Spiritual Center conducted an interview and panel discussion over Zoom following the recent court ruling against actor/filmmaker Muhammad Bakri in a civil suit brought against him by a former soldier for the 2002 film "Jenin, Jenin". The panel, chaired by actor and WASNS member Khawla Haj-Debsi, included Bakri himself, producer Osnat Trabelsi and ACRI lawyer Att. Dan Yakir.

PSCC director Hezzie Schouster opened and helped to produce the evening. WASNS member Nadine Nashef assisted with translation; WASNS development director Samah Salaime helped to make the evening possible.

The 1 hr. 40 min. discussion was conducted in Hebrew and Arabic and published to YouTube. Being intended mainly for a local audience, it appears without English translation.

The discussion covered the possible legal implications of the court ruling, its possible repercussions upon freedom of speech in Israel, and the conclusions that Muhammad Bakri draws from his long legal struggle following the film (which has included three court cases), as well as the heavy personal penalty that he has paid as an actor and filmmaker.

For background information on the case and the opposing claims, see Times of Israel article, "Jenin, Jenin’ screenings banned in Israel as court orders damages for soldier", and 972 Magazine op-ed by filmmaker Suha Arraf, "For Palestinian filmmakers in Isrel, it’s loyalty or silence"

Muhammad Bakri was interviewed in English in a January 18 2021 live chat on YouTube hosted by @eye.on.palestine.

Despite the court ruling banning screenings in Israel, an international audience can find the full 53 minute version of "Jenin, Jenin" on Vimeo, on the channel of the Palestine Film Institute.