Review of film "The Advocate" (2019)

By Nate Feldman

I have always shuddered when people say they hate an entire people based on their identity.  People are unique and should be judged accordingly.

Regardless of what one's position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it is hard to deny the unique character of Lea Tsamel, an Israeli defense attorney who has spent her entire legal career defending Palestinians of all walks of life, including those facing trial for acts of violence.  The 2019 documentary "The Advocate" tells her story.

Lea Tsamel has long been an attorney for Palestinians, including ones who committed violent acts against Israelis.  The film shows how she evolved into a champion of Palestinian rights, feeling that the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza following the Six Days War in 1967 was unjust and created a discriminatory system against the Arabs living there.  

In the film, she served as a lawyer for a boy and a woman who were accused of attempting to murder Israelis.  Tsamel argues that acts of violence are rooted in the occupation of the Palestinians land, and it is something to be understood by the public.

There are many interesting parts of this film.  First of all, it shows another side of Israel, and it also shows a different side of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in that it is not all Israelis against all Palestinians.  There are Israelis who support Palestinians.  Whether one agrees with Tsamel's point of view or not, at the very least, the film shows a unique perspective of what is happening there.  

I actually don't agree with Tsamel's views.  I am for peace and co-existence with Palestinians, but I also don't share some of her opinions about the causes of violence there.  At the same time, I am aware that this film generated controversy in Israel, with many leading figures trying to have it not shown at different events.  I definitely oppose that.  And I strongly believe that Tsamel should do her work without threats or intimidation.  If anything, she shows through her career and activism that Israelis and Palestinians can cooperate with one another, and that is something that should always be encouraged.