Jews of Egypt (FILM REVIEW)
Jews of Egypt
Film Review
by Kam Williams
Headline:
Middle East
Documentary Retraces Roots of Mass 1956 Exodus
Did you notice that the ascension of
the Muslim Brotherhood to power in Egypt a few years ago was followed soon
thereafter by the torching of churches and the persecution of the Coptic
Christians still residing in the country? This development would not be
surprising to anyone familiar with the nation’s history, since Jews there had received
even worse treatment at the hands of that fundamentalist group starting as far back
in 1935.
Brotherhood spokesman Aly Naouito then
proclaimed that, “When Jews live somewhere, they spread like cancer, and the
economy only belongs to them.” His hateful propaganda campaign went on to accuse
all Egyptian Jews of supporting the burgeoning Zionist Movement in neighboring Palestine.
Muslim Brotherhood-inspired
anti-Semitism subsequently fomented widespread rage, leading to riots and the
razing of synagogues. By 1948, a law had been passed directing Jews to convert
to Islam. Those who failed to do so were jailed, lost their homes and
businesses, and were pressured to apply for political asylum in Europe and elsewhere.
In October of 1956 the exodus escalated
in the wake of a tripartite attack on an Egyptian port by England, France
and Israel, ostensibly in
response to the nationalization of the Suez Canal.
At that juncture, any remaining Jews were stripped of their citizenship, and
deported with no passport, nationality or birth certificate.
This harrowing ordeal is recounted in
surprising detail via a combination of archival footage and present-day
interviews in Jews of Egypt, a heartbreaking
documentary directed by Amir Ramses. Most of the movie’s subjects are aging survivors
who had been children when banished many decades ago. Yet, some still bemoan
the fact that they remain barred from even visiting the once-beloved homeland
where they spent their formative years.
The focus
of this fascinating film is not merely the religious tensions in Egypt which
unfolded over the course of the first half of the 20th Century. The
picture devotes just as much attention to the considerable contributions made
by Jews to the country’s cultural and industrial development.
A priceless
history lesson for anyone interested in understanding the back story explaining
how formerly-tolerant Egypt
evolved into the religious state it is today.
Excellent
(4 stars)
Unrated
In Arabic and French with subtitles
Running time: 95 minutes
Distributor: ArtMattan
Productions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYFwtgeOypQ
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