A Nation Is Born Online

Overall, this is an excellent documentary on the founding of the nation of Israel, and it's struggles with asserting it's independence while also trying to build a beacon of hope and safety for the millions of Jews around the world.

This series is narrated by the estimable Abba Eban, Isreali ambassador to both the US and UN, and Foreign Minister of Israel. Eban often provides first-hand knowledge of Israeli history, and insight into Israeli foreign policy. From an historical standpoint, this film is invaluable to those seeking to understand the Israeli experience within the framework of Middle East politics.

The only issue I raise with this series is that there is virtually no Arab view presented. Towards the end of the series, there are interviews with a number of Arab people, but their voice is largely excluded from this account.

I raise this because this is such a huge political issue, and people are so divided. This documentary does not attempt to tell all sides of the conflict. This is an account of what Israel has gone through from the 1940s until the mid-1990s.

In general, though, this film doesn't judge either side. Eban acknowledges the faults of both sides, but doesn't precisely favor Israel. He simply accounts for the policies and actions of the world's only Jewish state.