State 194

The title of Dan Setton's documentary refers to Palestine's bid for recognition by the United Nations. In 1949, the U.N. recognized Israel; 50 years later, Palestine set out to achieve the same objective. Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, who has a doctorate in economics, embarks on a two-year program called “Ending the Occupation, Establishing the State.” If the U.N. grants approval, Palestine will become the 194th state. The campaign, which costs $1.2 billion, also includes improvements in education and healthcare. President Obama here offers his support, and appoints George Mitchell as U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Peace. Meanwhile, the U.N. plans to make its decision in consultation with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (Fayyad is a former IMF worker). Setton also speaks with politicians and activists on both sides, including Yitzhak Frankenthal and Nabeel Sweety of the Parents Circle, who lost loved ones to internecine violence. Majd Biltaji, a West Bank blogger, believes the division between Fatah and Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007, represents the biggest roadblock. Biltaji uses social media to share information and to organize protests. Although Hamas refuses to cooperate with Fayyad, his plan succeeds in most other respects; as he puts it, “We're on the homestretch to freedom.” But then the U.S. insists on border limitations that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refuses to accept. In the end, Palestine makes progress, but the U.N. Security Council has doubts, and their ruling represents a compromise. A solid documentary on a political hot-topic issue, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)