Israelism: How Young American Jews’ Views of Israel Are Shifting | Films on VICE87

The critically acclaimed feature-length documentary ‘Israelism’ investigates a movement of young American Jews who are campaigning to redefine Judaism’s relationship with Israel.

At the heart of the documentary are Simone Zimmerman, who grew up in Los Angeles and visited Israel on an exchange programme; and fellow American Eitan, who joins the Israeli military after graduating high school. Simone and Eitan are raised to defend the state of Israel at all costs but their lives are changed when they witness the mistreatment of Palestinians with their own eyes.

Their stories reveal a generational divide in the American Jewish community as more young Jews question the narratives their synagogues and Hebrew school teachers gave them as children.

‘Israelism’ features interviews with academics and political activists, including Noam Chomsky, Cornel West, Lara Friedman and a former director of the Anti-Defamation League, Abe Foxman. The film was initially released in February 2023, generating significant debate across American campuses.