Defamation

Director: Yoav Shamir
Israel 2008 93 mins
Language: Hebrew, English, Russian and Polish with English subtitles

What is anti-Semitism today, two generations after the Holocaust? In his continuing exploration of modern Israeli life, director Yoav Shamir (Checkpoint, 5 Days, Flipping Out) travels the world in search of the most modern manifestations of the ‘oldest hatred’ and comes up with some startling answers.The film searches the boundaries between anti-Zionism - rejecting the notion of a Jewish State, and anti-Semitism - rejecting Jews. Is the former being used to excuse the latter? And is there a difference between today’s anti-Semitism and the racism that is affecting all minorities?

Only by understanding the various responses to anti-Semitism can we really appreciate how Jews today, and especially modern Israelis, respond to the world around them. Shamir demonstrates his innate curiosity about life and goes on a journey which he describes as an ‘endless labyrinth with no exit sign’. JI

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion, The Politics of Anti-Semitism, with Anthony Julius, Dr. David Hirsh and Philippa Kowarsky.