Peace in the Other Middle East, or "A Land Twice Promised"

With all the talk about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, might be easy to forget a 60-year -old war going on elsewhere in the Middle East. It was in 1948 when Jewish-Israeli nationalists started pushing Palestinians/Arabs out...to fulfill a scriptural prophecy...dispossessed Palestinians struggling for the right of return ever since...

Or so that's what I think I know about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which is older than I am. Those things reportedly happened, but even the alternative media I often suckle can be biased!

Noa Baum makes it a point to tell both Israeli and Palestinian stories in her show, "A Land Twice Promised." It's showing again, since some months ago, THIS Saturday in LA. Performing all the parts herself, Noa gives the testimonies of four women, two Palestinian, two Jewish. Her site says she's "an Israeli who began a heartfelt dialogue with a Palestinian woman" and then "weaves together their memories and their mothers' stories." She juxtaposes an Israeli narrative with a Palestinian narrative, the different experiences/recollections of war. Instead of a war of narratives here, she's going for their coexistence.

Everything about "A Land Twice Promised" lends itself to peace, from how it was conceived between whom, to who performs, to in front of whom it's performed. While conversations between her Israeli self and the Palestinian woman inspired the production, the resulting performance is negotiated between Noa and musician Naser Musa who's part-Palestinian, and before an audience that has included Israelis and Palestinians. That's peace.

Go check out "A Land Twice Promised" this weekend!!!
Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 8:00 PM (running time: 70 min.)
Barnsdall Gallery Theatre at 4800 Hollywood Blvd., LA, Calif. 90027

Stay after for artist talkback and reception. Order tix here or call Levantine Cultural Center for purchase by phone, +1 (310) 657-5511. $35 preferred seating, $25 general seating. (Logo and photo courtesy of Noa Baum)

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