Introduction to Anthony Bourdains Parts Unknown: Jerusalem

Has anyone ever heard of Anthony Bourdain? Hes a famous

chef/author who has had a few different television shows where
he travels around the world and looks at food and culture. What
we are going to watch is from his current show on CNN. In this
episode, he visits Jerusalem.
A little background on what we are about to watch. Bourdain, as
he will tell you at the start of the show, he was not raised
religious, but he is half Jewish. Youll hear him express his opinion
about some of these things throughout the show. Youll also hear
the views of several Israelis and Palestinians.
The way Bourdain approaches things is often through food. You
will see a lot of the conversations he has take place around the
dinner table. We will do our Israeli/Palestinian Family Dinner
Conversation on Monday. I apologize in advance, the food we will
have will not be nearly as good as the food you see here.
During these next few classes, we really have to try and take on
the IB learner traits of being open minded and being critical
thinkers. As you watch think about the different points of view you
hear. Also, try and think about what things in their life have led to
those opinions. To use the old metaphor, put yourself in their
shoes.
Use the handout to follow along and take notes.

Anthony Bourdains Parts Unknown: Jerusalem

Part I:
Description of Jerusalem: pretty, urban, sophisticated,
hip but also...
Young draftees - Military service is mandatory for all
citizens 18 and over, 3 years for men and 2 years for
women.
Before 1967, East Jerusalem used to belong to Jordan,
now all in Israeli control.
For the Jews, the Israelis, the city has been
unified, but obviously for the Palestinian, they are under
occupation as far as theyre concerned.
Who invented Falafel? Even food is an argument!
Old City of Jerusalem divided into 4 Quarters:
Muslim
Jewish
Christian
Armenian
Mark their houses with flags - Jewish flags in Muslim
quarter, controversial.
Like walking in the steps of Jesus Muhammad
David
Part II:
1967 Borders changed everything
Wall between Israel and the West Bank, 450 miles now,
when it is finished it will be 700 miles

85% of the wall is in Palestinian Territory

Judea - first Jewish State
contravention - against
Price-tagging - Anti-Palestinian graffiti put up by

Jewish settlers in response to Palestinian violence

Eli settlement of 3000 in the West Bank (can see
Palestinian villages all around)
Amiad Cohen - head of town
Most of neighbors happy were
here
We brought them prosperity
High-tech security
Admits they should have painted
over the anti-Palestinian graffiti
Settlements suburban feel, everything they need:
school, public transportation, etc.
Amichai Luria - Wine Maker and Cook living in
settlement
Brought over at age 4 by his parents from
Pennsylvania
Sees prophesies coming true
Never eaten dinner with any Muslims from
neighboring villages, he says this is because of Kosher
rules
The Speed Sisters - Palestinian racers
Palestine a reserved society
Never know whats going to happen in
Palestine, its a crazy country
Race next to an Israeli jail

 Got hit in the back with tear gas

Cant race Israelis because Israelis not
allowed to enter West Bank, Palestinians not allowed to
enter Jerusalem.
Part III:
The Wall - Started being built in 2002
Bethlehem - Where Jesus was born
Aida Refugee Camp District of Bethlehem - Feels like a
prison
Abed Abusrour - Founder of the Al Rowwad
Childrens Theatre Center
Camp started as tents for about 7
years, U.N. saw it was not temporary and built
shelters
6,000 people, under the age of
18
Continuing political and economic
situation has left them with no playgrounds or
green spaces anymore.
Images of plane hijackers and
political prisoners on the walls where children play
Without possibilities to get rid of
anger and frustration bad things happen, so

opened Childrens Theatre as an outlet for

powerful, civilized, non-violent expression
Palestinians have a history of being
under occupation and honor heroes - heroes are
those who resist the occupation in armed or
unarmed struggle
Doesnt agree with the ways
political parties use the images of people who
have been killed
Arab Idol singer is more famous
with kids than the violent political leaders
Islam Abu Aroura - Runs a womens collective, teaches
Palestinian cooking classes to provide for her 6 children, one
of whom is disabled
Majda - Restaurant owned by a Jewish/Palestinian
couple
Wife Michal is Jewish and Husband Yakub is
Muslim
Food reflects both of their backgrounds and
cultures
Met while working at a hotel
Michal is the only Jewish person in the village
Are you hopeful?
Of course, I have my children. I
need to see them. - Michal

 I respect her religion. She respects

my religion, my family. And together we can build
something for our kids, our future. Thats what we
think and thats what we give the message for our
customers.
Part IV
The Gaza Strip - 1.5 million people live in Gaza, mostly
refugees.
Most unable to go in or out of Gaza
Israel controls what gets in and what stays
out
Apart from journalists, aid workers,
emergency responders, very few people are allowed to
cross into Gaza.
2005 Israeli Defense Forces left the Gaza Strip and all
Israeli settlers were removed.
Now inside Gaza, Hamas is in charge. Considered a
terrorist organization by both US and Israel, they were
elected in 2006
Laila Haddad - Native Gazan, author of The Gaza
Kitchen
Fisherman catches arent as big as they used
to be because they cant go beyond 3-6 miles out into

the water or they will get shot at, nets cut, boats taken,
detained. 9 miles out is where the good catches are.
Gaza only Palestinian area with access to the
coastline
Most Palestinians in the West Bank, even
though they are only an hour away, have never been
the sea.
Being from Gaza, a child of diaspora, always
thought that food was a really interesting way to be
able to tell the Palestinian story. Being able to discover
this lost history, this Palestinian past. Plus the food is
really dang good.
I think its really important to be able to
provide Palestinians with an image of themselves that
they recognize, a very humane image. Because all
theyre seeing in the media. Here or there, whether
here or there, whether on Arabic channels or abroad
is this kind of very caricatured [exaggerated] image of
gunned men and this kind of grim cinderblock
landscape. Youre not entering into the private homes.
What does a kitchen look like, or what does a family see
here.

 Gazas heritage, about 75% of the population

comes from villages that were either depopulated or
destroyed in 1948.
The Sultan family - Big family, children and
grandchildren all under same roof, can get chaotic.
Husband and wife cook together, unusual,
not typical for this part of the world or culture
Mahmouba - traditional Gazan dish with meat
and rice
Wife Umsaltan asked if she thinks in her
lifetime she will be able to visit where they originally
were from she says:
She hopes she will. She also hopes
to visit Jerusalem as well; shes optimistic.
Husband Abu says:
The Israelis wont allow us to! But
give me a permit, if they allow, of course Ill go.

Duwan - Area where elders gather to resolve

community problems, give advice.
Originally from Bir Al Sabi, now part of Israel. Traditions
and culture different from Gaza. One man, asked if he thinks
he will be able to return to his familys homeland responds:

 We will return. Our Quran, our instrument

told us this. This enemy back me. Please kill him. We
hope, and if not me, my son, my daughter.
Baby watermelon, fire roasted, cooked by men only,
specialty of Southern Gaza and Sinai. Havent heard of it in
Gaza City, 35 minutes away; shows the amount of different
culture within a very small area.
Different food in Gaza than in the rest of the Arab
world
Part V
In some Israeli towns and villages within close
proximity to the Gaza Strip, bus stops double as bomb
shelters and air raid sirens warn of incoming missiles fired
from less than a mile away. Rockets and mortar shells have
been known to fall in this area.
Natan Galkowitz - Israeli who owns a restaurant 7 miles
away from the Gaza Strip; daughter killed by a mortar sent
by Hamas.
After the death of my daughter I just started
to talk, to whom, to people who want to listen. I know
my daughter was killed for no reason and I know that

people on the other side have been killed for no reason;

children, old people.
I have been a soldier in Gaza, I saw very poor
people. I now there is interest in keeping these poor
people. you can go far, far but the bottom line is lets
stop with the suffering.
Theyre all nice Most of the people they
dont talk. They are very upset. They are fed up, and
the same goes for the other side towards us. You have
to find the right people from both villages and have
them talk. I know it is possible.