A documentary on a British comedian’s experience as a member of a non-violent Palestinian protest movement on the West Bank and featuring a former peace activist from Bishop’s Stortford will be screened in the town on Saturday.
The 1hr 15 min film Jeremy Hardy vs. the Israeli Army, follows the comedian as he joins the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), a Palestinian-led group which focuses on assisting the cause of its people in the conflict through non-violent protests and methods.
Hardy was recruited by Palestinian film-maker Leila Sansour to help make the documentary and Stortford businessman Chris Dunham found himself co-starring in it.
In a first person article for the Indie in February Chris said taking part in the documentary was the start of a friendship that lasted until the comedian’s death in 2019.
Chris said of Hardy: “He had outwitted the Israeli army, but not cancer. He was the funniest person I’ve ever met, and however grim the situation we found ourselves in, his wit would lighten the mood.
“I ended up following it round the country to do Q&A sessions wherever it was shown. It was a hit among film critics but enjoyed quite a niche audience. I like to think it made some contribution to raising awareness of the plight of Palestinians.”
Chris said the “resistance” carried out by the ISM took a variety of forms.
“Largely it was focused on trying to allow Palestinians to go about their normal lives, removing roadblocks of earth and rubble the Israeli army had set up, accompanying Palestinian farmers picking their olives or fruit and accompanying children to school, both of whom face attack by settlers.”
He added: “The logic of international involvement was that the Israeli army would be less likely to use violence against Palestinians if foreigners were present with cameras and access to the global media. To the Israeli army, Palestinians are expendable, but killing US or UK citizens would cause an international outcry.”
But, he added: “Eventually the Israeli army began killing us too.”
He revealed while he was in Bethlehem at Easter 2003, an Israeli armoured personnel carrier opened fire on a group trying to deliver food to an area under curfew. Five members, including Chris, were injured by shrapnel.
On his sixth and final trip to the West Bank he was detained at Tel Aviv airport and told he could leave if he took up an Israeli security services “job offer” – spying for them. He declined and after being put in a cell for a few nights was deported and declared there was “no point” is going back.
Chris stated in his article we should “absolutely condemn Hamas’ October 7 atrocities” but asks whether the attacks could have been predicted and avoided.
He highlights that 62% of the population of Gaza have never travelled outside the tiny strip of land only 26 miles long and five miles wide and the only thing they’ve ever known is the “blockade and bombing”.
He said: “There are few jobs, no chance to leave, no hope – just regular “mowing” down of your relatives.
“The only way to end the cycle of violence is for Israel to end the occupation and its rejection of a Palestinian state.”
Jeremy Hardy vs. the Israeli Army will be screened at Water Lane United Reformed Church Hall on Saturday (June 8) with doors opening at 7pm for 7.30pm start and director Leila Sansour, will be there to do a Q&A with Chris afterwards.
The full ticket price of £10 will go to Medical Aid to Palestinians.