Three years ago, Israeli human rights group B’Tselem started handing out video cameras to Palestinian families across the West Bank, inviting them to chronicle daily life under occupation but also to document the way Israeli soldiers and settlers are treating them. Some of the videos shot in the framework of this project are sometimes barely watchable but the abuse they depict is not proof of the human right violations taking place in the area, it has also sparked a national debate in the country in the past after they were broadcast on Israeli television.
The Israel-Palestine issue is a complex and delicate one. For most people living there, whether they are Israeli or Palestinian, the hope of a political agreement seem to remain discouragingly out of sight. B'Tselem's video camera distribution project is a moving and efficient example of citizen journalism, it is a non-violent yet powerful way to fight back.
B'Tselem is now handing out camcorders in the Gaza Strip as well.
Image: Adalah a-Ta'mari from Bethlehem whose house the Israeli army destroyed in an attempt to force the family to hand over her husband, who was wanted by Israel, 7 March 2008. Photo credit: Suha Zeid, B'Tselem
This piece is part of Worldchanging's Attention Philanthropy campaign. All week long, the Worldchanging Network will be delivering "attention grants" to worthy projects, individuals, resources and more. You can learn more about these gifts of notice and find other entries by clicking here.
Help us change the world - DONATE NOW!
Please note that comments will remain open for only 14 days after the article is posted. While previous comments will remain visible, attempts to post new comments after this period will fail. This helps stop comment spam, so your forebearance is appreciated.
The Worldchanging comments are meant to be used for further exploration and evaluation of the ideas covered in our posts. Please note that, while constructive disagreement is fine, insults and abuse are not, and will result in the comment being deleted and a likely ban from commenting. We will also delete at will and without warning comments we believe are designed to disrupt a conversation rather than contribute to it. In short, we'll kill troll posts.
Finally, please note that comments which simply repost copyrighted works or commercial messages will be summarily deleted.
