Israel's 1967 war against three invading Arab armies was hailed a triumph as they fought to victory in spite of seeming like David battling Goliath. The people and media celebrated the success, which was a reaffirmation of Zionism as Jerusalem was reclaimed as an entire Israeli city.
Yet in the kibbutz were young men returned from fighting in the war who were not triumphant, who did not feel that Zionism was justified in its actions and that some of the actions by Israel during the 6-day war offended Judaism. They gathered to speak about their experiences and its effect upon them. Their conversations were recorded. Then the conversations were suppressed by the Israeli army. Only 30% of their interviews were released for publication until now.
Mor Loushy has brought the young men, now old men, to listen again to their comments and conversations, revealed in their entirety to others for the first time. These are spliced with footage of the war and with film of the men listening to their young selves. At the end each man delivers his verdict on the legacy of the 6-day war for Israel. It is not positive.
I wondered how a documentary built around recorded interviews would work as a cinematic affair. The use of original footage, of which there is plenty, helps support the voices we hear from the past. Each young man entered the war believing it a just and right battle to preserve Israel but each was left disturbed in its aftermath. It is such an interesting contrast to see the men now as they are listening to their thoughts then.
Ultimately the film's verdict as it is delivered from these old men is dispiriting and sad. Well worth seeing to hear Israeli views as they are without propaganda and defensiveness. The comments of some of the men then echo prophetically with events since. One has to admire the perspicacity of those young men as they rued their country's actions in 1967.
