And There Was Israel • Must Try

A central pillar of the film is its "erudite dissection" of how religious mythology was transformed into modern nationalism. It traces the ideological evolution of Zionism from the early writings of Theodor Herzl through the declaration of the state in 1948. Rather than viewing these events through a strictly theological lens, the documentary uses seven academics from fields like sociology, law, and history to frame the narrative as a secular "colonial project" influenced by the power structures of the Western world.

The film (2018) is a 52-minute documentary directed by Romed Wyder that explores the complex geopolitical origins of the State of Israel. Billed as an "accessible, clearly argued essay" on film, it moves beyond traditional religious narratives to examine the 19th-century colonial imperatives and Western responsibilities that shaped the modern Middle East. And There Was Israel

The film places a heavy emphasis on the responsibility of the Western world—specifically Britain, France, and the United States—in partitioning the land. It highlights the "behind-the-scenes machinations" at the United Nations , noting that alternative proposals, such as a federal state including both Jews and Palestinians, were often sidelined or never put to a vote. This framing suggests that the current stalemate in the region is not an ancient religious blood feud, but a contemporary crisis born from specific choices made by 20th-century world leaders. A central pillar of the film is its

While the film examines colonial roots, it does not ignore the profound human tragedy of World War II. It acknowledges that the liberation of Nazi concentration camp survivors gave the call for a Jewish homeland a "greater moral urgency". However, it contrasts this moral necessity with the immediate, "far-reaching ramifications" for the local population, documenting the expulsion of Palestinians from hundreds of villages following the 1948 declaration. The film (2018) is a 52-minute documentary directed