Supreme Court hears soldiers' appeal against Mohammad Bakri, director of film 'Jenin Jenin'. 'You describe us as Nazis,' say plaintiffs, who demand apology. Bakri says he's not sorry, being persecuted by IDF, Shin Bet
The Supreme Court heard Saturday testimonies by reserve soldiers who appealed against Arab actor and director Mohammad Bakri, claiming that his film 'Jenin Jenin' is libelous.
The court debate saw accusations tossed between the attorney representing the soldiers, Yisrael Kaspi, who said Bakri was being paid by Israel's enemy. "You are wandering dogs," Bakri yelled at the soldiers. Security guards were forced to intervene to prevent clashes.
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Justice Miriam Naor suggested at first that the defendant apologize to the plaintiffs, telling Attorney Avigdor Feldman to "check with Bakri if he is willing to say that he made a film which is not a documentary and, in light of the court's findings, apologize before the plaintiffs".
Despite his initial refusal, Bakri agreed to apologize to the plaintiffs "if they were offended" and to remove the label of 'documentary' from his film.
The soldiers, however, refused to accept the judge's suggestion and demanded that the film be re-edited. "We were harmed very badly and the mark of Cain branded on our foreheads. We were described as murderers and Nazis and this trial cannot end with an apology and not compensation," Kaspi said.
He also accused Bakri of colluding with Israel's enemies. "You describe us as Nazis. Until you apologize and ask for our forgiveness you have no place here," the attorney for the prosecution said, nearly causing a brawl which security guards were forced to prevent.
"I am not sorry for anything," Bakri asserted as the hearing began. "This is my belief, this is what I saw, and I have no regrets. Those who should have regrets are the IDF, the Shin Bet, and the prime minister, who are persecuting me."
The director said he had spent a few peaceful days among the Jewish community in Rome, where he was treated better then in Israel. "I showed parts of the film there. The responses were warm," he said, adding that he had received funding from the Palestinian Authority upon completing the film.
MK Ahmad Tibi (United Arab List-Ta'al) came to support Bakri in court, and said that there was "a crusade" against the director in Israel.
"The problem is that the focus of what is happening in Jenin should be on the victims – the civilians who were killed – and not the film. These are difficulties caused by the soldiers and all artists should be free to represent them as he sees fit," Tibi said.
