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.
The following essay analyzes the central themes and arguments presented in the documentary. 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. The film (2018) is a 52-minute documentary directed