Israel: A Quest for Peace

A six-part television documentary series

The occasion of Israel's sixty years of independence offers a media opportunity for the world to celebrate the survival of a free Jewish People in their own land, commemorating the heroic spirit that motivated an entire people to offer their lives on the altar of their country's independence. Now is the time to recall memories and record the comprehensive historical testimony of the 60-year-old State of Israel and its unending quest for peace.

Israel: A Quest for Peace, with Valerie Harper, is committed to a factual accounting of the political, diplomatic, social, economic and cultural developments that span the last 60 years. Each episode recreates the special spirit of the times, focusing on key dramatic events, the myths, symbols and images that surrounded them, as well as the finer details of everyday life. Unlike other historical documentaries, this series introduces an element of entertainment to enhance the pioneering flavor which characterized the resilience and attitude of the Israelis in the formative years. It brings to life the voices and smells of the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as well as the unique living experience in the kibbutzim and Moshavim.

Israel: A Quest for Peace depicts the spirit of the early years of the State when thousands of refugees, survivors of the Holocaust, made their way to the Promised Land, forced to break through a vicious blockade. Then, on the very day that David Ben-Gurion read aloud the Declaration of Independence, five Arab armies invaded the country. This was not just a battle for the life of the new state, but a brutal battle for the life of each Jew. Against all odds and after a devastating military assault, Israel survived. The losses were staggering but the indomitable spirit of a people who had no other choice prevailed. Through six decades of unending wars and tribulations, Israel has progressed and developed at a pace unprecedented in world history.

Israel, a Quest for Peace, is the story of a democracy in the making, aided by a variety of archival materials, newsreels, documentary and feature films, and eyewitness accounts. The viewer will meet people who participated in these events and were affected by them, combining personal recollections with the collective memories recorded in official documents, mass media, works of art and literature.

Production Concept

The international edition, comprising 6 one hour episodes, incorporates authentic and original archival footage which was collected over a period of 15 years from film archives all over the world. It includes exclusive interviews on the subject of Israel with U.S. Presidents Harry S. Truman, Lyndon Johnson, Richard M. Nixon, Jimmy Carter, George Bush, and Bill Clinton, as well as Israeli presidents Itzhak Navon, Chaim Herzog, Ezer Weitzman, and Shimon Peres, also, the former Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, and Jordanian King Hussein. The archival footage includes interviews with Henry Kissinger, Andre Gromyko and Abba Eban, as well as Israeli Prime Ministers Golda Meir, and the late Itzhak Rabin.

Israel: A Quest for Peace, will present interviews with important public figures, such as President Mubarak, Prime Ministers Itzhak Shamir, Benjamin Netanyahu, and General Arik Sharon, as well as Yassir Arafat, Abu Mazzen and many other Arab spoksmen.

Though many of the witnesses are world renowned political figures, diplomats and military leaders who have been personally involved in decisions concerning Israel, many eyewitnesses are relatively anonymous. The real "heroes" of our story are; the new immigrants who overnight became soldiers in the battlefront; The many volunteers from abroad who came to fight in the war of independence; The farmers who stood strong against the powerful invading armies; The courageous commanders and soldiers who gave their lives in battle; The thousands of families who suffered under siege and bombardment; The many supporters, mostly in the USA, who made every effort to help supply the new State with the vital needs for its existence. Authentic archival clips and newsreels provide an action-loaded scenario, and the dynamic narration without the 'talking heads' effect, provides a fast-paced commentary.

Award winning film makers participated in the preparation of Israel: a Quest for Peace, adhering to the concept of allowing the evidence to speak for itself, and thus maintaining objectivity throughout. The narration follows the material, and when it is not part of the spoken testimony, it is narrated. The original musical score provides for the pace and continuity of this monumental series, bringing back to life the atmosphere and mood of yesteryears.

The target audience for Israel: a Quest for Peace is all-inclusive, covering every age group and cultural heritage. In addition to the appeal to those who lived through the events of the past fifty years, the series addresses today's youth and future generations. It is geared to people who are expert on the subject as well as those who lack a basic knowledge and understanding of the history and the impact of Israel's history.

This project is not affiliated with any organization, political party or government. This project is not supported by governmental funding.