Original subtitles

PALESTINE 36

(Train whistle blows)

(Indistinct chatter)

(Man, in Arabic) Tension in Nablus! News!

(In English) Oi, you! Identification!

Yes, of course.

(Man, in Arabic) British crack down on protests.

(Birdsong)

(♪ Music playing faintly)

Sir Amir?

Sir Amir?

Sir?

Sir Amir?

Pardon. I thought…

I'm happy to see you! Come in.

Don't be shy! Come in!

Tell me, how are things?

I'm writing about the situation in the villages.

How are people feeling? The mood?

(In English) Khuloud! Leave the poor boy alone.

- (In Arabic) What? - What are you wearing?

(Exhales)

- Want the neighbours to talk? - Let them.

- More than they already do? - Also, that is mine.

Ah?

Wearing it inspires my writing.

Yes, inspires you…

I know, my darling Ahmad.

Don't be annoying! (In English) Stop it!

(In Arabic) Can I get Ahmad Canaani inspired?

Now you remember Ahmad?

(Laughing)

(♪ Military music playing)

(♪ Music stops)

(In English) Ladies and gentlemen,

a new page in history is written today.

The first radio broadcast in Palestine,

and only the second in the entire Arab world after Cairo,

begins today here in Ramallah.

I now have great pleasure

in asking His Excellency

the High Commissioner Sir Arthur Wauchope

to inaugurate the Palestine Broadcasting Service.

Good morning. Thank you so much for coming.

Those of you who are still awake.

The new broadcasting service in Palestine

will not be concerned with politics.

Its main object

will be the spread of knowledge and culture.

First, there are thousands of farmers in this country.

Fellaheen.

Now, I hope we will find ways and means

to help these farmers

and explain the advantages

of various forms of co-operation.

Our broadcasting service

will endeavour to stimulate musical life in Palestine,

so that we may see both Oriental and Western music

grow in strength side by side,

each true to its own tradition.

- (Applause) - Thank you.

(In Arabic) This is the part

where they educate and elevate us.

(In English) The moment we've all been waiting for.

(♪ Military music playing)

(♪ Music stops)

This…

… is Jerusalem calling.

(In Hebrew) The Voice of Jerusalem.

(In Arabic) This is Radio Jerusalem.

- (Man) Bravo! - (Applause)

(Radio) 'Beyond the blue waters of the Mediterranean,

'millions of Jews all over the world

'were promised a national home in Palestine

'by Britain's Lord Balfour.

'As Germany and other nations increase their persecutions,

'treat them as pariahs and outcasts,

'the Jews are turning more and more to their Promised Land.'

(In Arabic) If we were to slice the pipe open,

we could see both Haifa and Iraq at the same time, right?

Right?

Maybe.

Careful.

Why are there fences around the colony?

And why do they come to live here?

Their countries don't want them.

But why?

I don't know.

Why don't they wear trousers?

(Chuckles)

Let's go home.

(Afra) Yusuf!

What did you see today in the city?

I saw streetlights

and big buildings…

… and so many people. Hundreds.

How's the Sir's car?

When will you teach me to drive?

When your mother lets you go to the city.

I will go and never come back.

Did you bring…

A promise is a promise.

(Mother) Afra!

Come here.

I need you here.

Not going back and forth to the city.

I know where I am most useful.

Me too. By my side.

Tensions are rising between us and the settlers.

Sakhina village had their lands confiscated.

Apparently squabbling city folk are more interesting.

(Kareem) It's the same king on all of them?

(Afra) He loves a woman no one approves of.

But why?

She's older than him.

- So? - Also, she is divorced.

Oh.

(Thudding)

Here you go, Father.

Son.

It's enough for today.

Come.

(Whispering indistinctly)

Pass the wine, son.

It's knotted just like sheep wool.

Afra, come sweetheart.

Good night.

Stop that, you.

Why do you go to Jerusalem so often?

I have a job, man.

You don't tell us much about it.

Perhaps there's a romantic reason.

What would a city woman want with a peasant?

Maybe he reads poetry to her?

'My eyes fill with tears

'Because of a woman from the city

'I hope she notices me

'And remembers me after so many years'

No wonder nothing gets done when men are left on their own.

May God forgive you!

(Indistinct chatter)

(In English) Come on!

There's still two shipments for loading.

(In Arabic) The day is over.

(In English) Who's going to stay for overtime?

(In Arabic) Who wants to work extra?

- I will. I want the work. - Me.

(In English) The Jewish boys may be more efficient,

but you lads, you never let me down.

(In Arabic) Grab the barrel!

(In English) Who's responsible for the shipment?

Check the documents!

(In Arabic) For J. Kaplan…

… in Tel Aviv.

The British won't take action.

They won't hold Kaplan responsible, nor anyone else.

Thirty-three barrels of weapons.

Why do you think they are arming themselves?

Four factories fired all the Palestinian workers this month.

My friends, your country and jobs are being given away.

They're replacing us with Jewish labour.

Either we stand up for ourselves

or we sit back and watch.

The choice is yours.

Come on, Khalid.

Satisfied?

Thank God.

We could use more men.

I work, and I send money to my family.

And when you can't?

God provides.

You'd make a strong fighter.

I don't want to fight.

None of us do.

Next.

Next.

I worked extra hours.

No overtime. Move on.

They asked us to work overtime.

Next.

- Get out of here. - I'm talking.

I want to talk to him.

- Get out of here. - Get your hands off me!

(Grunting)

- Khalid! - (Groans)

The government refuses our request to demonstrate.

While the Jewish workers are allowed to.

They get higher pay

and normal working hours, too.

And days off!

- They have a stronger union. - Half the men were laid off.

How do we feed our families?

We strike!

The choice is yours.

The choice is theirs.

Either bread…

… or bullets.

(Men) Strike.

CALL FOR ALL: JOIN THE GENERAL STRIKE

Excuse me, can I have it when you finish?

- Here you go, sir. - God bless you.

How do I look?

Do I look stately?

Someone important?

It suits you, sir.

Do you have something nice to wear?

The Muslim Association needs new members.

Get yourself a nice suit.

- No, no sir! - Yusuf!

Get yourself a good suit.

(Horses neighing)

(Shouting, whooping)

- Full strike, people. - (Door opens)

Sisters and brothers,

my comrades and I appreciate your generosity and kindness.

- Here you go. - Long live the revolt.

All of us, rich and poor, are united in our struggle

for independence and freedom.

God bless you men.

Independence and…

Freedom.

Those could be helpful too, madam.

Let's go, Khalid!

For the revolution.

We hope to repay you, madam.

God give you strength, my friends!

Long live the revolt!

(Indistinct shouting)

Sugar?

Settlers started a fire!

They're clearing land for a new colony!

Right next to the fields.

(Indistinct shouting)

Hurry, Nayef!

The land is burning!

- Thank you, Naim. - You are welcome.

(In English) Hello, hello!

Hello!

- How are you? - (Responds in Arabic)

- Hello! - Hello!

How old are you?

How old am I? How old are you? (Laughs)

Oh, hello, you old brute. What's your name, then?

His name is Balfour.

- Sorry, I beg your pardon? - Lord Balfour.

(Speaking Arabic)

It's fine.

I don't know why I cause quite such a commotion

everywhere I go.

I hope you've been long enough in Palestine

to know it's not about your blue eyes.

(Chuckling)

Thomas Hopkins.

Private Secretary to the High Commissioner.

- Yusuf Bassawi. - I'm here as a representative

of His Majesty's government in Palestine,

so I've come in person

to encourage the villagers to register their land.

We pay our taxes to the government.

As long as we can continue to work our land,

registration does not concern us.

Ottoman land deeds are much clearer in the city,

but here, well, they're not clear at all.

So, we are implementing a new land registration system.

The Ottoman dunum

will be replaced with the new metric dunum.

We'll gradually replace the old system

with privately owned land.

Mr Secretary,

when you drove here today,

you came from the northern road, correct?

Yes, I did.

Did you saw our village's farming terraces

on the slopes of the hills?

Stepped terraces.

Do you know what those are?

Yes, I'm familiar with the stepped terraces

to which you are referring.

That's the work of thousands of years.

It's the work of our great-great-grandparents.

But more than that,

it's the relationship between us and our land.

Is it the right of the English as occupying power

to distribute the land as they like?

Mr Secretary,

what about land confiscation by the Zionists?

What is your government doing about that?

Look…

All I can say is,

land registration will protect you.

It includes a detailed, precise description of each lot

and its borders,

which in the end serves you,

and without that piece of paper,

there is no way of proving who the land belongs to.

Just the morning, the British court transferred

thirty-five dunum of land, your land, to the settlers.

(In Arabic) The court has transferred

35 dunums of village lands to the Jewish colony.

We will no longer be able to access it

- effective immediately. - This is theft.

Our leadership has proposed we establish our own courts.

Rebel run courts?

The British already raid our homes searching for rebels.

It's our duty to support them.

Damn the English.

They've had a boot on our necks since I was born.

That's why we must stand together.

They were not expecting mass support of the National Strike.

Those so-called neighbours came to replace us,

not to live with us.

We have always welcomed people of all faiths to this land.

The English courts have no legitimacy here.

I call for a delegation to speak with our neighbours

without British interference.

Without the English, I agree.

Before the British interfere.

Abu Huda, Abu Nidal,

Father Boulos, Abu Yusuf, Sheikh Yassin.

Father.

This is naive.

Zionists do not negotiate, they want the land.

I need to go with them.

At least wait until morning.

By morning, the land will have already been cordoned off.

It's now or never.

Let's go. The sun is moving fast.

Halt!

(Grunts)

Father!

Oh, Father!

- (Indistinct shouting) - Abu Yusuf?

(♪ Humming)

(♪ Humming stops)

Your name is in heaven, Abu Yusuf.

Your name is in heaven.

(Chanting)

They are coming, people!

(Shouting)

(In English) We are looking for armed bandits

who've been disturbing the settlers.

(In Arabic) Where were your men last night?

You!

Where were you?

No one knows anything?

Very well.

(In English) Let's go! Move it, come on!

(Grunts)

(Clamouring)

(In Arabic) Get out of our home!

- Get out of here! - (In English) Shut up!

(In Arabic) Get out!

Leave us alone!

We said get lost!

- (Laughing) - (Shouting)

Can't we bury our dead in peace, you bastards?

Nayef!

Bunch of killers!

Go ask the settlers who killed my father!

- Nayef! Nayef! - Nayef!

(Indistinct shouting)

(In English) Get back! You're dead!

This is my little brother. He hasn't done anything.

(In Arabic) Yusuf, do something!

(In English) We have just buried our father.

Condolences.

Let's go.

- Drive! - Go, go, go! Go!

Move it! Move it! Keep your heads down, lads!

Keep your heads down!

Move! Move!

(In Arabic) Sing for Abu Yusuf, Nayef!

(Ululating)

(Indistinct chatter)

- (In English) Good evening. - How lovely to see you.

- Thank you. - Madam.

(Indistinct chatter)

(In Arabic) Like this.

See?

This is the right amount.

(In English) Thomas!

- Good to see you, my friend. - Good to see you, too.

- Gin? - I'm a whisky man.

Of course, of course. Yusuf will do the honours.

- (Speaks Arabic) - Yusuf Bassawi.

We must stop meeting like this.

(In Arabic) How are you?

Fine.

(In English) Oh, no, uh… neat. Sorry.

You seem much more relaxed in the village.

Cheers!

Of course! They do.

- Mr Secretary, another drink? - I'm actually fine.

You've gathered quite the group this evening.

Yes, I did.

I'm not sure I know everyone.

Well, to your left, Mr Jaffa Oranges himself

owns half the groves from here to the sea.

Well, we are what we eat.

Behind you, Matiel Mogannam.

Who the hell invited him?

Captain Wingate. Sorry, I didn't see you arriving.

(Woman) Can't the army afford haircuts anymore?

(♪ Swing music playing)

You have very forgiving neighbours.

Well, that's because they're all here.

Yusuf!

Yusuf is a young, bright man from the villages.

Which village?

Al Basma.

In the hills?

A good village.

Fields of gold.

This truly is a holy land.

I've been to that village on several occasions.

We've met before.

(In Arabic) Respect the Strike!

Long live the revolt!

(In English) Everyone inside!

Savages!

(In Arabic) Is the rebels' main goal

to remind us of the troubles?

- (In English) Please stay. - Oh, we have to go.

Thank you very much.

We have to go. Thank you.

Get home safely. Thank you for coming.

(In Arabic) Sir Amir, may I leave?

No.

(Khuloud, in English) Let's get some candles.

(In Arabic) Perhaps it's better you sleep here.

It's dangerous to travel at night these days.

Nevertheless, the Arab leadership has clearly stated

their main demands.

A democratic government is to be established in Palestine.

A stop to the transfer of Arab land to the Jews,

and an end to Jewish immigration from Europe.

But our interests are different.

We must separate ourselves from those national parties.

Lately, I've been asking myself,

is Zionism really so bad for us? For business?

- Exactly! - True.

Yusuf.

Would you like to share your opinion?

Well, I…

Tell us about the countryside.

We are losing land daily.

Many farmers have been evicted from their lands —

farmers who worked hard in these lands.

And settlers have taken over.

I understand it's a difficult time for you all,

but not all villagers pay their debts to the landowners.

- Wouldn't you agree? - Right.

People can barely feed their families these days,

let alone pay debts,

while Zionists are taking our lands.

We must remember that it is we, the landowners

who own the majority of the land.

And pay the taxes, too.

Thank you, Yusuf. Have a seat.

I propose we move on.

As you've all heard,

the French and Belgian ambassadors…

No, no!

(Afra) Yusuf! Yusuf!

Afra. Dear…

We need water.

The rebels sabotaged a patrol.

Despite the threats, we refused to speak.

(In English) Stop!

There'll be no water dispensed without my permission,

I'm afraid.

You!

Give me your papers.

No transit pass to leave the village?

(In Arabic) Your turn soon, Afra.

(In English) I ordered you to stop, Yusuf.

(In Arabic) Pass it to her.

Drink.

- Yusuf! - (Screaming)

How are you?

Yusuf Bassawi.

Welcome.

Each village gets ammunition for protection.

We are fighting for our people.

Our duty is to serve and fight for a free nation.

We defend civilians at all costs. Understand?

Puppet Kings?

Puppet Kings, Khuloud?

You can't publish this!

It's the truth.

It sounds atrocious.

Unfortunately, I didn't pen that description myself.

- Let's be logical. - Logical?

Accepting British requests to intervene in ending our strike?

The longest strike in history, I should add.

They're scared the rebellion will spread to their countries

and knock them off their thrones.

And our National Committee is different?

Endorsing the General Strike, who do they think they are?

Who do they think they are?

The leaders of all five Palestinian parties

who represent all our voices

are united and called for the Strike.

We Arabs are shooting ourselves in the foot.

Some of us feel the National Committee

does not represent our best interests.

Like your Muslim Association?

Isn't unification of all parties more tactical?

(In English) Makes more sense!

Khuloud.

(In Arabic) My love.

I adore you even if we never agree on anything.

- Our lands are ours. - Our lands are ours.

- Palestine is not for sale. - Palestine is not for sale!

- Palestine is not for sale. - Palestine is not for sale!

Palestine was not Balfour's to give.

Palestine was not Balfour's to give!

(In English) Please! Please! If you could just…

quiet, a moment.

Then, perhaps, we could speak calmly,

and I might be able to help.

Look, we see him up there.

Tell His Excellency not to be afraid of us.

I can assure you he is not afraid of you.

He is, however, extraordinarily busy

at this present moment, as I'm sure you can understand.

I am here, though,

to hear all of your problems, all of your concerns,

and make sure that they are addressed sufficiently.

Let him hear us out.

As I said, he's very busy at the moment.

We will wait here until he agrees to see us.

It is really the minimum, Mr Secretary.

Madam, you are placing me in an invidious position.

(In Arabic) Palestine is not for sale.

Palestine is not for sale!

Palestine was not Balfour's to give!

Palestine was not Balfour's to give!

(In English) Very good. As you wish.

(In Arabic) Our lands are ours!

- Palestine is not for sale. - Palestine is not for sale!

The British police and army

are behaving with more and more brutality daily

in the villages. It's rampant.

Boys are being arrested,

people beaten for not having transit passes.

Curfews and collective punishment.

More and more lands are being confiscated.

An increased disposition of the fellaheen.

Mr Commissioner,

we are asking for your help in protecting our villages.

Well, I appreciate you coming.

I can see you're influential ladies with great passion.

But I fear my hands are tied more and more by London.

Rebel attacks have almost doubled in the past few weeks,

so we have no option but to exact the laws

which punish the villages entirely

for the crimes of the few.

Why punish everyone for the actions of a few?

Because as you know better than anyone,

the Arab holds the community

in higher value than the individual.

What we know, Your Excellency,

is that our brothers and sisters in the countryside

are compelled under present circumstances

to defend their families and their homes.

And perhaps London can see things

through our perspective.

I have good news for you.

Lord Peel is to head a new commission,

a royal commission,

and I have no doubt

that this will deal with many of your concerns.

Meanwhile, I ask you all to have faith

that Arab and Jew can live together,

serve together,

and that, with your help,

together we can create a united and peaceful Holy Land.

CURFEW RULES

(TV) 'Off on an arduous job:

'the members of the commission to investigate

'the situation in Palestine.

'Lord Peel is the chairman.'

'I am well aware that we have to deal

'with difficult and delicate problems.'

(TV) 'Violence escalates

'as nine killed in a Jewish militant bombing in Haifa.

'Arab rebels killed three passengers

'and a British policeman.'

Open.

Have a look at those tomatoes.

Wouldn't mind giving them a squeeze.

- (In Arabic) Here you go. - Thank you.

(Mumbles)

Do I smell grape leaves?

We are lucky.

Bon appétit.

The villagers thank you.

My God, look at this. Perfection.

Join us.

Be careful.

The English have more check posts across the hills.

Our regards to Yusuf.

Thank you, Mother of Afra.

She's a beauty.

Lucky man, Yusuf.

So disrespectful.

This is the widow of a martyr.

We're just talking.

Shame on you.

Take it easy.

Eat.

Look. The English ban the keffiyeh,

and the street explodes into a sea of keffiyehs.

Think the paper can pay me for the last batch of photos?

I'll ask.

I'll pay you this month.

- Can you? - It's OK.

(In English) Kay! Kay!

- Thomas! - (Thomas) Sorry.

The Arab Committee's agreed to speak

to the Peel Commission. They're calling off the strike.

Hot off the press.

I am the press.

Right.

Well, everyone seems relatively happy

for business to be back up and running.

Wrong words.

But I have a good feeling about the Peel Commission.

Another commission.

It's a real chance for the Palestinian leadership

to put forward a proper case for your rights.

For legitimacy.

- So, Mr Secretary… - Hmm?

… tell me, what's happening at the office?

I'm starting to feel somewhat like a spy.

- You are my spy. - (Chuckles)

I'll tell you what I can… and a lot more than that.

Is it true

they're providing protection for Jewish settlements?

Yes.

And?

And they're setting up

a British-Jewish counter-insurgency unit.

- Bastards. - Hey, now…

Don't shoot the messenger.

You know where I stand on all this.

Still bastards.

Look, can we for once talk

about something other than politics?

Thomas, I am not a tourist here.

- Oh, Christ! - This must be a sign

things are calm at the Commissioner's office.

Like the Dead Sea.

Everyone's happy, I suppose? Bloody strike's finally over.

This may not be the best place to bring a lady, however.

Indeed!

Do you two know each other?

I don't believe we've had the pleasure.

I was hoping my parties were more memorable than that.

Khuloud Atef, Captain Wingate.

My apologies, madam.

Your English is impressive. Where did you learn?

In boarding school. And Oxford.

And you?

Excuse me, I have work to do.

Captain.

A Muslim woman.

Can't say I blame you. Quite the Sheba.

As you well know, she's a journalist.

- A very good one at that. - Oh, of course, of course.

In the Old Testament,

the city of Jerusalem is personified as a woman,

after the city was destroyed by the Babylonians.

Prophecy says

the Israelites would one day be returned to Zion.

The archaeological evidence behind those claims

is pretty tenuous, wouldn't you say?

No, I wouldn't.

You're at the crossroads of a major moment in time.

We will see the first Jewish army

in two thousand years arise.

Perhaps you should consider

which side of history you want to be on.

(In Arabic) He's injured.

Careful.

Go, go. He's safe with us.

The British are in the area.

We don't want any trouble here.

Relax.

You're safe here in the hills.

The rebels are around. They know how to reach us.

(♪ Singing in Arabic)

Grape leaves, onions, mint.

Smell the freshness.

- How much? - Two kurus.

Kurus and a half.

For you only. Kurus and a half it is.

You're doing well today with that sweet voice.

- Want to go to the hammam? - Not today.

Oh, come on. You always say that.

You could use a bath.

I'll buy us the bus tickets home.

So generous!

Watch my things.

She comes back smelling like flowers.

I wonder for who?

(In English) Hello, young man.

(In Arabic) You should shoot him, not shine his shoes.

God keep them far from us.

Hope everyone is as generous today.

- Kareem! - (People screaming)

I will take you to your father.

(Whispering)

The Irgun militia has vowed to increase activities.

Believe me, trouble is coming.

(Indistinct shouting)

(In English) Papers!

(In Arabic) God bless you. God bless your children.

God bless the English. God bless you.

(Man, in English) Come now, please. Please.

(In Arabic) Have some respect for yourself.

(Man, in English) All men and boys off the bus now!

(In Arabic) Come on, men.

Let's go.

(Man) Right, line up. Hands up!

I said, "Get your hands up!"

Smith.

- Get your hands up! - (Indistinct shouting)

(Banging, shouting)

(Panting)

(Gun cocking)

(In Arabic) A Turkish beauty.

Someone's been taking care of it all these years.

Is the bullet there?

Let me have a look.

The bullet is inside.

It's still packed.

What are you doing?

Are you still awake?

What's wrong?

I had a nightmare.

Come here, darling.

Afra.

Come, grandchild.

I want to tell you something.

Do you know where your land is?

Your land is where your people are buried.

I can teach you how to use that.

It's easy.

But you must know

you have something more powerful

than the entire British Empire.

What is it?

You will know on your own.

You come from a line of brave people

who love this land.

Who's there?

Rabab?

I'm looking for akoub.

At this hour?

Can I help?

No, I need to get back.

I didn't realise how late it is.

Alright.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

You hid it?

Good night, daughter.

Good night.

Want to buy?

Thank you, dear.

Want to buy, sir?

Want to buy?

Just for you.

(Praying indistinctly)

Careful. Soldiers are everywhere.

It's safe here.

Son.

You're late.

We missed the bus.

I got here as fast as I could.

Don't forget.

He hears everything.

I'm sorry.

We'll just make it before curfew.

Let's go.

The beauty of nature.

No matter how strong man thinks he is,

nature always shows God's true strength.

Why do people confess to you?

To acknowledge their sins and obtain forgiveness.

From you?

From God. Only God can forgive.

Are they bad people?

We are all sinners.

When one is truly sorry for their sins,

they seek forgiveness in His divine light.

(In English) Where are you two off to?

To our village. Al Basma.

Permits.

You, too.

He's only a child.

The hills are bandit territory.

He's not a bandit.

He's my son.

Aren't we all, Father? (Snickering)

How can a priest have a son?

It's permitted in our faith.

Horny rascals! (Chuckling)

(Mutters) Hello, hello…

I think this should probably stay with us.

Just leave it, will you?

Bloody hell, he's a priest.

Hey… looks like someone's stealing from the priest.

Is stealing also permitted in your faith?

No. It is not, my son.

Kick off.

- Come on. - Come on.

It's almost curfew. Go!

(Church bells ringing)

(In Arabic) What's wrong?

Give me your hand.

Bite as hard as you can.

Bite.

Stronger. Stronger.

Oi!

I won.

Do you know why?

Because I endured longer, not because I'm stronger.

You need to endure, so you can win in the end.

Did I hurt you? I'm sorry, son.

Forgive me.

Remember…

… God protects us.

(♪ Singing in Arabic)

How are you?

How am I?

What's that article you asked me to have published?

He's a new writer. I'm helping him.

What do you mean? Did you read it?

Kind of.

It's ridiculous. Full of propaganda.

It's a pro-Zionist article.

It's just words and opinions.

What words and opinions?

Something everyone is entitled to.

Who is this Anwar Yacoub?

I told you, a young writer.

I want to meet him.

- You can't. - Why not?

Everyone has their reasons for privacy.

- Mm-hmm. - And it should be respected.

You of all people know that, Khuloud,

or rather Ahmad Canaani.

- Ahmad Canaani? - Mm-hmm.

You know very well that without this name,

no one will publish or read my articles.

I know. Perhaps Anwar also has his reasons.

Fine.

I challenge him to a public debate in the paper.

Each writes a column in response to the other.

I'll propose the idea.

AHMAD CANAANI RESPONDS TO ANWAR YACOUB

"The whole country is suspended.

"The Peel Commission continues,

"and we hold our breath.

"Even our rebels wait in anticipation

"that freedom is closer than ever.

"Chaim Weizmann, friend to the British ruling class

"is currently the main witness before the Peel Commission.

"So far, he has appeared five times

"at the Palace Hotel in Jerusalem

"to meet with the commissioners."

They're from Jerusalem?

They're from me.

(Sighs)

Can you keep a secret?

Khalid?

Khalid?

Wait for me here.

Who's our friend?

He's a boy from our village.

His name is Kareem.

How's your mother been?

She's with my grandfather.

He hasn't been well.

- Hope he feels better. - Thank you.

We have to be careful these days.

Right, Kareem?

(Exclaims)

(Giggling)

Why do you bring Khalid food?

Because he protects us.

God protects us.

Come! Come!

The English are picnicking!

The English are picnicking!

They have cake!

So what?

(Panting)

(In English) Haven't we gone far enough?

No, no. From the top,

you have the most wonderful view of Jerusalem.

(Woman) Ooh, I've lost my shoe.

My goodness!

Well worth the walk up the hill, I think.

(Conversation continues indistinctly)

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Yes! Good header.

Tackle! Tackle!

Quickly!

Yeah!

Now, what does that make the score?

Whoa!

(Dog barking)

Does that make it four-nil?

(In Arabic) I'll get it.

(In English) Oh, goodness me.

(Dog barking)

(In Arabic) Kareem, hurry.

(Faint prayer in distance)

I need help.

My brother is still in prison.

Yusuf, you need to be careful.

The leadership is calling for the rebels

to lay down their arms.

In whose interest is that?

We're weak.

Let's wait, gather our strength and come back stronger.

Wait for what? Amir's friends to sell us out?

(Door opens, closes)

The Peel Commission results will be announced tonight.

Dyala and Maher

are bringing that dreadful cousin with them for dinner.

I saw Thomas this afternoon,

and insisted he come celebrate with us.

You're giving Anwar Yacoub

a run for his money in the papers.

Nothing like a good debate!

Do you need money?

(Chuckles) Everyone needs money.

Are you in debt?

Are you in trouble?

What are you talking about?

Why does the Zionist Commission pay you?

I don't… What do you mean?

I'm the one that's confused.

I want you to explain.

It's complicated.

Um…

They… The Zionist Commission founded the Muslim Association.

They pay some of the members' salaries.

What for?

To create an opposition to the national parties.

Honestly, if it helps us secure a position

in this whole thing…

They really believe I have a chance to be mayor.

Your friend, Anwar Yacoub,

do you share his views?

No. I do not.

Anwar doesn't exist.

The Zionists want articles

offering a different point of view in the Arab papers.

They know people wouldn't be influenced

unless they thought a Palestinian wrote it.

Those articles were written by the Zionist Commission

and translated to Arabic.

I agreed for just a couple, and that's finished.

(Radio, indistinct)

How long will they make us wait?

Let's hope for good news.

(Knocking on door)

Someone to celebrate our independence?

Finally our own government.

(In English) Thomas.

Please come in. I'm glad you made it.

- (Cousin) About time! - Single malt?

- Later… perhaps. - Please have a seat.

Hello.

- Good evening. - Good evening.

- Hello. - Hello.

So, what's the news from the other side?

Go on, then.

Don't keep us waiting.

Well, it's not good, I'm afraid.

Partition has been proposed…

… with no independent Palestinian state…

… and a forcible transfer of its population.

Who the hell do the British think they are

to give away half the country?

Tell me, Mr Secretary, how would you feel

if we decided to cut your country into bits…

- … and give it away. - (In Arabic) Unbelievable.

(In English) A Jewish National Home in our country,

but not in yours?

Look, I'm not here as a representative

of the Peel commission.

I've merely come to deliver a message.

Uh… I did that of my own volition.

- Perhaps I should leave. - Thomas, wait!

I don't understand. How…?

I wish I understood.

- I'm sorry. - (In Arabic) It's started.

(Radio, in English) 'On 7th of July, 1937,

'the Commission, headed by Lord Peel,

'published its findings.

'The Commission recommends a partition should be created,

'securing the establishment of the Jewish National Home,

'and relieves it from the possibility

'of being subjected in the future to Arab rule.

'Partition enables the Jews

'to call their National Home their own,

'for it converts it into a Jewish State.

'Its citizens will be able to admit as many Jews into it

'as they themselves believe can be absorbed.

'They will attain the primary objective of Zionism,

'a Jewish nation planted in Palestine,

'and they will cease at last to live a minority life.

'To both Arab and Jew,

'partition offers a prospect

'of obtaining the inestimable boon of peace.

'It is not a natural or old-standing feud.

'The Arabs, throughout their history,

'have not only been free from anti-Jewish sentiment,

'but have also shown that the spirit of compromise

'is deeply rooted in their life.

'Considering what the possibility

'of finding a refuge in Palestine means

'to thousands of suffering Jews,

'is the loss occasioned by partition,

'great as it would be,

'more than Arab generosity can bear?

'The Jewish Problem is not the least of the many problems

'which are disturbing international relations.

'If the Arabs, at some sacrifice,

'could help to solve that problem,

'they would earn the gratitude not only of the Jews,

'but of the entire Western World.

'Partition offers a possibility

'of obtaining a solution of the problem

'which does justice to the rights and aspirations

'of both the Arab and the Jew.

'Half a loaf is better than no bread at all.

'As for the British people,

'they are bound to honour to the ut…'

(Broadcast stops abruptly)

(In Arabic) They must have heard.

(Shouting in distance)

Come on, boys.

Come on.

Come on, boys. Go for it.

Come on, boys.

Come on, boys. Go for it.

(Banging)

(Indistinct shouting)

ARMY FORCES SURROUND VILLAGES.

ARRESTS OF ARMED REBELS CONTINUE.

(Indistinct shouting, ululating)

We must continue to unite to defend our lands!

Our collective unity will lead to the end

of British and French imperialism in our lands.

We fight for our independence!

You are the descendants of this land!

If they shoot me,

if they arrest me,

if they deport me,

who will take my place?

With every one of us they shoot…

… our numbers grow!

We are one free people!

The people of Syria stand with you!

The people of Lebanon are with you!

Iraqis, Druze, all Bilad al Sham,

we stand together.

We say to the colonisers: the Arab Nation is one nation,

and Palestine…

… is a part…

… that won't be cut from us.

Long live the revolt!

Victory to the revolt!

- Victory to the revolt! - Victory to the revolt!

Victory to the revolt!

(Indistinct shouting)

BRITISH LOSE CONTROL OF NABLUS

(Indistinct shouting)

(Wauchope, in English) Good God!

They've got a cross on their flag.

Mm.

What do they know about Christ?

You can't be serious.

That's not an image we want telegraphed around the world.

Keep it under your hat.

It's unfortunate,

but the Christian Arabs have thrown in their lot

with their Muslim brethren.

I think you all know Mr Tegart,

our expert adviser on counter-insurgency.

Mr Tegart is lately from India, where he had great success.

Did a bloody good job.

I propose we build a network of fortresses.

Here,

to keep weapons, goods and militants

from infiltrating from Lebanon and Syria,

I advise

that the best solution to terrorism is to build a wall.

A nine-foot barbed wire barrier from Ras Al Naqoura

to the northern edge of Lake Tiberias,

running right along the northern border.

As for fighting insurgents within our borders,

I advise a different tactic.

We'll get the Arabs themselves to do it.

(Wauchope) How do you do that?

A pro-British, anti-rebel,

Arab counter-insurgent militia…

… which we will call…

… the Peace Bands.

(Scoffs)

(Hopkins) Sorry… (Clears throat)

We turn the Arabs on themselves?

You really think they're that foolish?

A prominent Palestinian family has already committed.

(Wingate) No! These are peasants.

They have no central organisation.

They move from cave to cave,

village to village, like animals.

(Tegart) We'll identify rebels in the countryside

who will inform and sow discontent for the rebellion.

I'd like to take a minute

just to remind everyone of our tactics to date.

We've shut down every Arab printing press,

we've banned newspapers, censored their mail

and intercepted their telephone calls.

We've set up check posts and curfews.

We've even taken away their bloody livestock.

We don't want another Ireland on our hands.

No. Quite!

But we've still gone ahead

and banned singing and waving flags.

I mean, it's even forbidden to sit in a fucking café.

- Uh, Thomas… - It's preposterous!

We are trying to crush a rebellion

which is bent on destroying us.

Oh, I am fully aware of that. What I'm saying is,

there has to be another way of doing things.

There isn't.

Britain must abide

by the promises made in the Balfour Declaration.

The Zionists provide the key to preserving the empire.

Now, we must build up the SNS Squads in Jewish settlements.

They are our launching pad against the Arab villagers.

Oh, enough of the fucking proselytising already!

Let's talk about your night squads for a second, shall we?

- Hopkins… - (Hopkins) No! Not this time!

Your night squads, here's a report:

"Many sticks were broken over unwilling backs,

"but the road was eventually finished."

The Arabs are raiding the settlements,

blowing up the oil pipeline,

the railway tracks, our patrols.

This one's a particular favourite.

It's beyond the pale, sir.

"Orders to shoot indiscriminately

"and disproportionately."

I cannot in good conscience sit here

and become complicit in this.

Thomas, you are simply pro-Arab,

and many of us know why.

(Wauchope) Gentlemen, gentlemen!

Personal animosities aside!

Sit down.

Let us not forget that the rebels are getting at us…

… and if we do not escalate, we will lose the upper hand.

That much is clear.

And we have an obligation to two peoples in this land,

a dual obligation,

and if we cannot keep them apart

and show them who is in control,

believe me, they will the both of them eat us alive!

(Indistinct shouting)

Here you are!

What in bloody hell is going on?

I demand an immediate explanation

for the attack on the newspaper offices.

And what about your so-called "freedom of expression"?

The British are importing barbed wire

from Mussolini's Italy. Did you really believe

that the press wouldn't find out about this?

You're really worried about fucking barbed wire

and your precious newspaper —

that is nothing compared to what's coming.

You know what? Fuck this! I quit Palestine!

(Indistinct shouting)

(In Arabic) The villagers are getting worn down by the raids.

Some don't want to be involved anymore.

That's exactly what they want.

The resistance is winning.

We've taken back control not just here,

but also in Hebron,

Bir Al-Saba. And Jerusalem.

What do you think, Afra?

I want to go.

Goodbye.

What?

You tell me.

For the first time in my life, I'm afraid to die.

Who gives birth never dies.

Where does that put you?

Here.

(Boy) News! News!

News! News!

News! News!

- Ahmad Canaani? - Yes.

"… a sweep of arrests after rebels assassinated

"the British District Commissioner of the Galilee.

"The Palestinian leadership

"has been decapitated and exiled.

"The Arab Higher Committee was declared illegal

"and has been disbanded.

"Five Arab leaders were arrested

"and deported to the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean,

"including Yaqub al Ghusayn, Hussein Fakhri Al Khalidi,

"Fu'ad Saba and Ahmed Hilmi Pasha.

"British authorities arrested Awni Abd al Hadi

"and Izzat Darwaza."

(Khuloud) 'British authorities arrested Awni Abd al Hadi

'and Izzat Darwaza

'and imprisoned them

'at Sarafand al-Amar detention camp.

'British authorities are on alert

'for they believe that Abd al Qadir al Husseini

'has clandestinely returned to Palestine.

'All borders with Palestine have been sealed,

'telephone lines to neighbouring countries cut,

'and 320 rebel leaders are being held

'in a concentration camp near Acre

'without trial or charge.'

(Man, in English) Guess who walks in?

The Captain! And he's like,

"What the bloody hell is going on here?"

(Chuckling)

It's the funniest thing, man. I love that!

Oh, man.

(Man) Everybody out! Into the square!

(Indistinct shouting)

Everyone out! Move it!

Get to the square now!

(In Arabic) Father! Get up!

I'm not moving from here.

- Get up! - We have to move.

(Man, in English) Move! Move! Move!

(In Arabic) Come, Kareem.

You go.

Protect the child! Go!

Go, my daughter, go!

I'll deal with your father.

Please go.

We'll follow.

Go!

Go now!

Leave!

(In English) Move back! Move back!

Halt!

(In Arabic) Men here.

Women there.

(Man, in English) You will pay the price

of the actions of the bandits!

You will pay the price of the bandits!

You'll bring all your weapons, rifles, here now!

(In Arabic) Where are the bandits?

There are no bandits.

(Man, in English) I said, "Move it!" Get back!

(In Arabic) No one knows anything?

Where are the mukhtars?

(Wingate, in English) You were warned

any of this sort of thing happened,

there would be measures.

The explosion was not did by anyone of our village.

Move 'em! Let's go!

Move it, men!

Come on!

Get back!

(In Arabic) Traitor!

(Man, in English) Come on, you! Come on!

Stay where you are!

(In Arabic) Traitor! Shame on you!

We know who you are from your shoes, you lowlife!

A lowlife!

(In English) All of you!

You have five minutes to bring weapons to the square.

If you bring weapons, men will be released.

Believe me — better to bring them before we find them.

(Screaming, shouting)

Shut her up!

I found some hiding out!

Check who else is hiding here.

(In Arabic) This is our home.

(In English) Go! Let's go!

(In Arabic) Run and don't stop.

Do not return here, do not look back.

(In English) Search!

Found this.

Well, lookee here!

(In Arabic) Dogs.

(In English) No weapons, huh?

Huh?

No weapons!

(Shouting)

(In Arabic) We will never leave.

Damn you! Leave me alone!

Let go of me!

Let me go!

Mama, please!

(In English) Wait! Get her out of here!

(In Arabic) I beg you to leave!

You need to move out!

These are my parents!

Rabab!

Father, mother!

Rabab!

Why did you come back?

As Qassam preached better to die a martyr!

(Rabab screaming)

- (In English) All right, back! - (Screaming continues)

(Screaming)

(Dogs barking)

Come.

You.

It's all right.

It's all right. Don't worry.

I won't hurt you.

Come.

Stop!

I will give you what you seek.

May God forgive you.

(Exhales)

And you.

Clear the village.

(In Arabic) What are you doing?

Continue, I'll follow you.

Afra!

Afra, hide.

Hide!

(Man, in English) Move it! Move!

Move!

Hey!

Faster! Come!

Move forward!

There he is! Let's go!

Careful now!

(Indistinct shouting)

(Man) Come on! Quickly!

- (Sobbing) - Push her away!

(In Arabic) Don't be scared. Take care of the kids.

Stay strong for the family!

(In English) Back! Back!

Come on!

(Gunshot)

Sir!

(In Arabic) You lowlife, you coward!

(In English) Take them to the detention camp.

Sir!

And you, go!

Drive!

Drive!

(Man) Move it! Give them a taste of their own medicine.

(Screaming)

(Clamouring)

Get back!

Stay where you are! Get back!

- Stay where you are! - Get back!

(In Arabic) Be a man, take care of yourself and tell the truth.

Take care of your siblings.

(Screaming)

(Panting)

(In English) Keep pressing forward!

- (Shouting) - (Gunshots)

Get down! Take him alive!

Open fire!

(Gunfire)

Go!

(Groans)

(Dog growling)

Why are you bloody smiling? Stop smiling!

(Grunts)

Get him up!

Take him away.

Away!

Move him.

Come on!

Give yourself up!

Spread out, men.

We'll make an example out of this one.

We've got him.

Grenade!

(Shouting)

(Indistinct chatter)

What are you waiting for?

(Indistinct shouting)

Go on, in! In!

Start digging.

Come on, get in!

(In Arabic) Stand up.

There is work to be done.

It's not the first time, nor the last.

Why didn't you go with the others?

Afra only knows to find me here.

Take care.

(Distant chanting)

(♪ People singing)

(Speaking indistinctly)

(In English) Sir!

Sir!

(Soldier) Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hey!

Seems you've friends in high places.

(In Arabic) Down with colonialism!

Revolution!

Are you Yusuf's brother?

Yes.

Tell Yusuf that Ahmad Canaani sends his regards.

- Welcome back. - Thank you.

(People chanting)

Can we go home now?

What are you doing, Khuloud?

(Chanting continues)

(Chanting intensifies)

(♪ Bagpipes playing)

♪ We swear, we will not be exiled

♪ We swear, we'd rather go hungry or die

♪ Than ever leave

♪ We swear, we will not be exiled

♪ We swear, we'd rather go hungry or die

♪ Than ever leave

♪ By the vow of the revolution, the revolutionaries

♪ And the masses we will not leave

♪ By the vow of the revolution, the revolutionaries

♪ And the masses we will not leave

♪ We are part of this land

♪ We are part of this land as long as the earth endures

♪ We swear, we will never leave

♪ We swear, we will not be exiled

♪ We swear, we'd rather go hungry or die

♪ Than ever leave

♪ By the vow of the revolution, the revolutionaries

♪ And the masses we will not leave

♪ By the vow of the revolution, the revolutionaries

♪ And the masses we will not leave

♪ We are part of this land

♪ We are part of this land as long as the earth endures

♪ We swear

♪ We will never leave ♪