London, UK – Growing up in a Jewish family that believed in Zionism, Gillian Mosely began questioning her upbringing as a teenager, particularly the sense of entitlement regarding the “Holy Land”. In her 2022 documentary, The Tinderbox, Mosely travels to Israel to unpack her British family’s teachings, exploring the history of the Israeli state and challenging the ingrained us vs them mentality in Zionism by speaking with settlers, liberal Israelis, a Hamas official, and Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
Mosely reflects on the making of the film, expressing concern over the inevitability of conflict if history is not learned from. She emphasizes the importance of engaging with a variety of perspectives to gain a comprehensive understanding, highlighting the dangers of echo chambers in today’s society.
Discussing the significance of the Holy Land to multiple religions, Mosely questions the dominance sought by one religion over the others, emphasizing the need to remember the shared importance of the region to different faiths.
Regarding the influence of Zionism and Judaism, Mosely notes a clash within the Jewish population between those prioritizing Zionism over Judaism. She critiques the propaganda surrounding the issue and highlights the impact of the physical barrier on interpersonal relationships between Palestinians and Jews.
Mosely also delves into the historical responsibility of Britain in the region, pointing out the demographic shifts resulting from British intervention without acknowledgment or apology. She predicts that history will ultimately support the pro-Palestine argument.
Finally, Mosely reflects on democracy’s role in the conflict, suggesting that true democracy cannot exist without equal civil rights for all citizens. She calls for an end to hypocrisy in supporting allies’ poor behavior for democracy to truly thrive.