The short film, Walking the tightrope (running time 30.33 minutes), explores important issues for Christians engaging with the Holy Land.
A few years ago, the URC undertook a joint project with FODIP (The Forum for the Discussion of Israel and Palestine) to produce a film, preparing anyone considering a pilgrimage to the region. The film is aimed at encouraging people to undertake something much more than a biblical ‘Disney’ tour, engaging with real people and their present day circumstances.
Many pilgrimages concentrate solely on seeking out the biblical and historical sites. This is of course an understandable feature of any visit, but it is equally important to engage with the current day lived experience of this ‘competitively loved’ region. Only a tiny proportion of pilgrimages take the time to engage with Palestinian communities or even with the leaders and members of the local Christian churches and centres in Israel and Palestine for example. Many groups see Israelis only as security guards or immigration officials, and miss ordinary Israeli voices covering a wide range of perspectives. Walking the Tightrope is a short film which, in an engaging way, highlights the value of seeking out not just the ‘dead stones but also the living stones’. It is a ‘must see’ for anyone who is contemplating a pilgrimage to Israel and Palestine.
