Interests of Israel must certainly be defended and promoted. But on serious and diplomatic way and for important goals. Diplomacy means to me to win recognition without big uproar. And not by wasting any time on such rediculousness like this "oscar dilemma". The term of Shoa must be used carefully and not inflationary. Its not a warranty for every Israeli activity today. I'm proud of Israeli contemporary achievements than always be remided of what my ancestors (Jews) suffered in the past. Sorry, what do you mean by #18?

"The term of Shoa must be used carefully and not inflationary." It is not the Jews who need to be careful but the gentiles of Europe who haven't learned one single thing since Auschwitz was "liberated". The Jewish lesson is to take no notice of those who tell us what we should do or not do "for our good." They are the same siren voices that prevented us from taking appropriate action in the Holocaust.

http://www.sullivan-county.com/id3/palestine.htm

Before you start questioning if Arabs are people, you need to ask your self what is a "Jew"? Is it a Religion? is it a nationality , is it an ethnic group?? If it's a religion , then I,who is an arab, can become human by converting to Judasim.If it's an ethnic group, then how can non Jews convert to become Jews? It like converting to become Black. Don't insult other PEOPLE if you can't decide on what you are.

That's right every body should go home .Palestinans back to Palestine and you back to where you came from ?Russia? Polland? Itally ???

I'm not sure who is a broken record? "We are God's chosen people" "Every body is antisemite" "This is our promised land" It seems that God went into the real estate business

There is an Israeli film nominated for Best Foreign Picture there.

And since Israel was re-named Palestine by the Romans I agree with you that "Palestinians" should go back to "Palestine."

Paradise Now is Israeli. Hany Abu Assad is from Nazareth, as well as most of the actors. It should be nominated as from Israel, not the Palestinian Authority or anything else. Nominating it as from Palestine is an insult to Israeli Arabs by suggesting that they are not Israelis when in fact they are.

The right of free expression is often used to express very controversial view points, however, people must have the right to debate and disagree with any views/cartoons via the media, press etc., but not by the masses burning buildings, injuring people and threatening lives. This film is very controversial but no one has threatened the lives of the writers/actors/directors/producers !

7 of each 10 people in Spain are racist aganist Jews. Arab countries are Judenrein, as Nazi Germany was. Hamas gains legitimacy. Jews are incresingly alone. What do Jews make films about? THE HOLOCAUST!!! Stop ranting about the Holocaust, and begin making films about you. Jewish rights are destroyed all around the world, and Jews behive as if you had 100% got. Time to make films about new holocausts.

have seen the film. I thought it was very powerful and well acted; in my opinion, it was a praiseworthy attempt to *explain* rather than to justify. That said, I also think that Irit Linor's criticism is legitimate. The thing that *really* pisses me off about the film is this: "Paradise Now" was directed by an Israeli (Arab). It stars Israeli (Arab) actors - who happen to live in Tel Aviv - and was partly funded by Israeli investors. Whether a Palestinian state exists or not, the *fact* is that no Palestinians - in an official capacity or otherwise - invested in this film. And the first interview Hany Abu Asad gave after winning the Golden Globe was by telephone to Guy Pines, who is the host of a nightly Israeli entertainment show. Abu Asad speaks fluent Hebrew, of course, since he is Israeli. I have even heard him quote from the Hebrew Bible - in Hebrew. But he gave the interview in English.

The map should reflect that reality.

Not yet they aren't: most of them call themselves Palestinian Israelis. And mark my words, when "the map" you allude to eventually gets finalised, most of the "Palestinian Israelis" will choose to stay in Israel rather than take their chances in Hamas-run Palestine. And Lisa is right- this was an ENTIRELY Israeli-funded movie. And that fact alone could have been used as a call for peace. But it has not been. Far more tragic and telling than any calls to modify "the map."

to their Arab brothers because the Jews have created democracy they can enjoy, the first rate universities they can study at, the medical centers unparalleled in the Middle East, the social welfare system they that gives them checks despite the low collection of tax revenues from the Arab communities and the Tel-Aviv night life that rivals London and New York. How do you expect them to join their Arab brothers?

like the Arabs treat the Arabs then perhaps they would leave the Jews for the Arab states. The tolerant, ethical, moral Jews are different. If you want to see how the Arabs treat the Arabs take a look at Iraq or take a look at Kuwait which expelled most Palestinian Arabs.

Despite the fact that this film is presented from a Palestinian perspective and despite the fact that it may (understandably) make for uncomfortable viewing for many, the Oscars are not there for "influential Israelis and Jews in Hollywood " or "sources at the Israeli consulate in Los Angeles " to twist in order to suit their needs. Should the academy submit a list of films to the Jewish community or the Israeli embassy for vetting prior to the nominations? If you (like me) would like the other side of the story to be told, then I suggest that a film be made from the Israeli perspective. There are many talented Israeli film-makers today, and I am sure that a film every bit as compelling as Paradise Now can be made. I do not believe that any country would appreciate another country meddling in its cultural affairs in this manner.

you have no roots at all ... look for it ... in poland maybe ... in Germany can be .... Reussia there you have big chance ... Yemen or Ethiopia ... mostly there .... you got the message ?

It is a sad day for the palestinians when people have to force Academy members to vote a certain way. The movie is awesome and Palestine will have to exsist . In a couple more years there will be more palastineans thanb there are israeli's. Palestine willbe a reality. Sorry but you cannot displace a race, it wont happen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is what we can call cultural terrorism committed by Israel and this is one of the reason why palestinian people have the right to attack you as suicide bombs

We should ask our American cousins how they would feel if say Saudi Arabia made a film showing the "human" side of the 9/11 bombers - would they be so quick to give it an oscar then? There has to be a line and glorifying terrorism with films like this however well made it supposedly is goes over that line.

as usual , tow scales for every issue according to your interest .... when the Muslims exepressed their anger because of the cartoon you all said ... they are barberians and not civilised and they don't axept the free speach ... but when the issue is now against your interest ... nothing called democracy or free speach anymore .... come on guys you want to make the world a la carte like the french says ... leave the academy to deside what they think about it without blackmailing them .... enough how much troubels you caused to the Americans till now but you don't care ... the American money and lifes is not important for you ... you can shake the hand of the devils for your interest even over the died bodies of the whole world and that's why you will never live in peace till you start thinking that you are not alone in this world and to be Jewish does not mean that you are better than any one else ... but what i say more .... thousends of years you never had peace why you will have it now ... you are not used to leave in peace and to leave the others in peace

Ahem, you can displace a people. Is your memory so short lived?

Funny how you living in a land of coffee and mass murders amongst your own kind of people can have an opinion on why it is ok for the palastinians to attack "you people as suicide bombs" unless you are a closet case terrorist or maybe a Nazi offspring which escaped and are now hiding in Brazil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Yes, Movies that show anything happenning in the real world will make it to the oscars. However, some movies are biased and do not show the REAL events that happened. For example, when showing terrorist or alzarkawi terrorist attacks, they should include in those movies how even the MUSLIM and THE ARAB WORLD got negatively affected by such terrorism. Terrorism is something far beyond islam, and people should consider the fact that muslims and arabs are being negatively affected by those terrorist attacks, and none of them encourage such horrible activities that would kill innocent people. Islam states in the holy quran that killing one innocent soul without a reason is a crime by itself, and who commits such a horrible act is not a muslim.

TURN OFF THE NEWS AND READ!!! Said by the great Immortal Technique. Many of you are quoting facts that sound like they've been washed into your brain. It is my belief that freedom of speech means let anyone say whatever they wish to say in any form of representation and let the public decide, even if it means they choose something against YOU. Just remember... Palestinians throw stones... Israeli army doesn't need to throw anything.

http://www.petitiononline.com/para222/petition.html

Although the movie's content is not pro-palestinian, Jewish people aren't wish to success.. Israeli people reach to the worst level of hating palestinian... So we need to send them "gifts"... ;-)

When you ask Plalastinians to go home do yo umean home like, Russa? Cuba? Ithiopia, Germany, France? Europe in general? where exactly do you mean they should go? Go back to the countries where all the Jews emigrated from after WWII? Since when a religion gives you the right for land? Next thing we'll find american muslims claiming Saudi! get a grip on reality and start using the bless givien to you by god, BRAIN.