This is a worthwhile documentary for those wanting to understand how young American Jews living in the Zionist environment in the United States are conditioned to identify with Israel unconditionally and hate Palestinians. They are encouraged to join the Israeli Defence forces when they come of age.

 But the experience changes the lives of some. They join a movement of young American Jews campaigning to redefine Judaism’s relationship with Israel and reveal a deepening generational divide over modern Jewish identity.

Israelism sparked huge debate on American campuses even before the events of October 7, 2023. It follows Simone Zimmerman, who visited Israel as a teenager, and Eitan who joined the Israeli army after graduating from high school as they discover the reality for Palestinians and radically revise their views.

It includes interviews with academics and political activists, including Noam Chomsky, Cornel West, Lara Friedman and a former director of the Anti-Defamation League, Abe Foxman. Contributors suggest the narrative that young American Jews are fed almost entirely erases the existence of the Palestinians through education and advocacy, sometimes involving groups that organise free trips to Israel partially funded by the Israeli government.

This film describes how influential this narrative is in shaping attitudes to Israel, not just in the United States but across the world.

Video from Al Jazeera English