I take the liberty to post the email that Dr Art Garfein sent to Herzl.
Thank you Art for the thoughtful comments.
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Unlike some, I did not find the movie hopeful nor did I need to be reminded that many Jews have a conscience. I found the movie grim with the principals seemingly burned out and conscience-stricken. I,too, found it striking that so many men who headed the Shin Bet seemed to be speaking with one voice, that some in our audience took as a dramatic indictment of Israel's political history. In trying to make sense of that, I found myself coming to a different conclusion.
Firstly, I found myself thinking about the Stockholm Syndrome where people trapped/imprisoned by terrorists over time would begin to sympathize/identify with the 'aggressor' as a means of unconsciously feeling less helpless and endangered. How does that concept relate to this movie? I believe the leaders of the Shin Bet were suffering from a significant Post-traumatic Stress Disorder that is not in keeping with society's ideal of the sabra who does what is necessary to defend the State with a song in their heart and a sense of doing the right thing. This movie did not allow the audience any distance from the 'perpetrators' and so we as an audience were also an accomplice to the deadly/intrusive raids. We, in the Study Group, had our own personal reactions to being put in that position. But, back to the issue of Trauma. The 'documentary' provided an acceptable means for the Men to abreact their thoughts, feelings and memories (as we often facilitate in a psychotherapy) concerning what was for them seemingly the most traumatic time in their lives. This does not mean that everything that is said or 'remembered' is the Truth, but we must honor each man's narrative. How does this relate to the Stockholm Syndrome? I believe these men, as a result of the harsh decisions they needed to make, began to identify with the 'victim' as a means of dealing with an increasingly troublesome conscience and ended up on the left side of the political spectrum as a result of pleading to 'the lesser crime.' In addition to identifying with the 'victim' they also unconsciously projected all fault onto the Israeli political establishment. They are haunted men and we all honor them for their sacrifice and hope they may enjoy a peaceful sleep one of these days. Anyone in that position needs to have their emotional life attended to after their tenure. It is no shame!
Let me just say a word about the claim in the movie and in some of our group that Israel has failed politically. I remember Meir's initiative to Africa which bore some fruit until the Arab oil 'weapon,' I remember the alliances with Iran and Turkey to help counter the enmity and boycott of the Arab States, I remember years of trying to engage China and India til relations were established with both States, I remember attempting to find common ground with the USSR after many Russian immigrants came to Israel, I remember creating ties with newly freed Soviet bloc countries both Christian and Muslim, I remember Camp David and Oslo, I remember ongoing attempts to create solidarity with the European Union and NATO, I remember the strong ties forged with the North American countries of Canada and USA. . . These do not strike me as a failed foreign policy, but rather the realistic limits of a small, Jewish state in a very complex world.
Thanks to you and Robert for always helping us sort through these complexities. Fondly, Art
