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CENSORED VOICES Send This Review to a Friend
Recordings made 48 years ago but not released before are assembled by “Censored Voices” director Mor Loushy into a document that harks back to the 1967 six-day war in which Israel defeated its enemies and conquered territory, thereby protecting itself but also becoming occupiers of Arab populations. The tapes recording the views of soldiers were made after the war by young Amos Oz and Avraham Shapira, and now the men listen to these tapes with the perspective of history and their careers, Oz having become a famous writer and Shapira an editor.
What do the recordings show? There are the first-hand experiences of those in the military, and what they describe, in addition to the sacrifices made, is the direction the war took leading to the present-day situation that is rife with antagonism and difficulties in working out a peaceful solution.
The thrust of the film, which includes pertinent news clips, is pressing for a need for Israel to examine its position with relations to the Arabs. The film tilts toward the view that one can lose its democratic soul if it has to be an occupying power.
It is clear why the Israeli militay did not want these recordings released in addition to the ones it did approve for release. The comments reveal raw feelings and questioning about behavior toward Arabs. While the war itself was deemed necessary to save Israel from the destruction, various comments raise questions as to the collateral results.
In all, this is a provocative documentary that is fascinating for all who worry about Israel and the perpetual need to defend itself from those who would destroy it and the moral costs involved. Reviewed November 22, 2015.
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