Heart of the Other
(15 minute extended trailer)
“The Heart of the Other” features the passionate peace activism of Khaled Mahameed, a Palestinian-Israeli living in Nazareth, Israel. In 2005, Khaled founded The Arab Institute for Holocaust Research and Education, the first Holocaust museum in the Arab world (in Nazareth, an Arab city in Israel).
Khaled alienates some (including most of the Arab press, as well as the ADL), but converts many others to his view – including members of Hamas. He asserts, “People say I am crazy for making this issue the center of my life. They should realize that I am serving the Palestinian cause. The world will not see our Nakba [the "disaster" or flight of Palestinians from their homes in 1948] before we can feel for their Holocaust.”
“The Heart of the Other” contains extensive interviews, as well as scenes of Khaled passing out information and photos of the Holocaust at West Bank checkpoints, in Gaza, and other places. The climax occurs when Khaled attempts to walk, with an “army” of his supporters, from Jerusalem to Ramallah – only 10 miles away from each other, but worlds apart. In Ramallah, Khaled will try to present his unique vision to members of the Palestinian Legislature.
“Heart of the Other” is a fascinating lens on the Holocaust, on coexistence between Arabs and Jews, and on a man who since childhood, fights, against great resistence, for a truth he believes will heal his world.
Directed by Harvey Stein.
