Film Explores Childhood Trauma of Israeli Children in Hebron During Second Intifada
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
The documentary "Children of Hebron" by director Elad Yaakov Goldberg explores the childhoods of seven adults who grew up in Hebron during the Second Intifada. The film revisits their experiences with fear, bravery, and a sense of mission amidst daily danger. It contrasts the parents' ideological commitment with the children's reality and examines their coping mechanisms. The documentary also touches on Hebron's spiritual significance and has been screened in various locations, including Hebron, before its broadcast on Kan 11.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Documentary "Children of Hebron" reveals childhoods shaped by fear during the Second Intifada.
- Director Elad Yaakov Goldberg was surprised by the "battlefield" reality of children in Hebron.
- Children learned to navigate danger, identifying safe paths and unsafe areas.
- The film explores the pressure on children to appear brave despite fear.
- Adult subjects reflect on their upbringing and its impact on their lives.
- The documentary contrasts Hebron's spiritual image with children's dangerous experiences.
A new documentary film, "Children of Hebron," directed by Elad Yaakov Goldberg, delves into the experiences of seven adults who grew up in the volatile city of Hebron during the Second Intifada. The film revisits their childhoods, marked by fear, a sense of mission, and the daily reality of living in a conflict zone.
Goldberg, who grew up in Gush Etzion, initially believed he understood the security situation in Judea and Samaria. However, after sharing an apartment with Karem Hamad Wilder, who grew up in Hebron, Goldberg was surprised by the stories of children living in what he described as a "battlefield." Some children could identify specific spots on their route to the garbage dump that were exposed to gunfire, while others knew safer paths.
As a father himself, Goldberg became increasingly concerned about how parents managed to raise children in such an environment. The film explores the gap between the parents' ideological commitment to settling in Hebron and the children's lived experience of constant danger. Unwritten rules of conduct, such as walking with one's head held high and not yielding to others on the street, were part of the atmosphere, instilling a sense of bravery and ownership.
The documentary also examines how children coped with fear, with some treating it as a game while others internalized it, feeling pressure to always appear strong and heroic. This expectation was linked to a sense of national mission associated with the Hebron settlement. The film goes beyond childhood memories, reuniting the subjects as adults to explore their current lives, worldviews, and how they are raising their own children.
"Children of Hebron" also addresses the spiritual significance of Hebron, contrasting its portrayal in Jewish sources as a "gateway to paradise" with the harsh realities faced by its young residents. The film has been screened at the Haifa Film Festival, the Jerusalem Cinematheque, and in Hebron itself, with a screening in Hebron reportedly causing audience members to shift uncomfortably in their seats, recognizing the human story depicted. The film is slated for broadcast on Kan 11, aiming to reach a wider audience.
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