Documentary tracks young Israelis through the evacuation of Gaza

A lot has happened since the Israeli government decided to evacuate all Jewish settlements in Gaza in 2005 but not much has changed. The force behind the evacuation, Ariel Sharon, the tough-talking prime minister whom many called the father of the settlement movement, lies in a coma, dead in every meaningful sense. Various peace initiatives have flickered, then predictably sputtered and died. Thousands of embittered evacuees have struggled to find new homes and lives in Israel or in west bank settlements while just as many rockets launched from Gaza have fallen on Israeli towns. On the other hand, a brigade of Israeli soldiers is no longer required to protect the settlements, and far fewer of them have died.

No one foresees this future at the end of "Unsettled," the excellent documentary film written and directed by Adam Hootnick, but everyone feels a general sense of unease. None of the young people featured in the film feels confident about what will happen or about the actions taken, and that gives the film much of its effectiveness. They are all unsettled by their roles in the national drama and that feeling of dislocation permeates the film and underlines the reasons this event was so meaningful to Israelis. Beloved myths were turned upside down, the definition of Zionism was called into question, and the deep divisions between religious Israelis and the majority of the population were exposed.

To examine the emotional turmoil behind the evacuation of the Gaza settlements, Hootnick, a former news producer at MTV, chose to focus on six Israelis in their early 20s. Just as most young people have little understanding or patience for the details of the historical or political background, the film is not interested in the events that brought Israeli society to the place where the majority wanted out of Gaza. Instead, it concentrates on the intense emotional uproar brought on by the decision. The background music by Matisyahu and others emphasizes the youthful passion at play on both sides.

Israel Defense Forces soldiers Yuval and Tamar train to empty the settlements with as much sensitivity and tact as possible; Neta films a documentary to present the point of view of her settlement, Neve Dekalim; Lior and Meir enjoy a stoner’s dream as surfers/lifeguards at Gush Katif; Ye’ela joins a cross-country tour in support of the withdrawal. Only Meir is older than 21. Of all of them, Neta is the most committed to one position, exhibiting serenity and certainty about the truth. A member of a large religious family, she is convinced that God gave the Jews Gaza and that it’s a sin to give even one inch away. She also shares her community’s distaste and distrust of the Arabs. She marvels that those Israelis who are most eager to get out of Gaza have never been there and have never lived near Arabs. Although Neta remains calm and upbeat until the very end, it’s the religious Jews in the film who convey the most passion. Chasidim shriek invective at the pro-evacuation bus group, and the settlers sob and rage. In contrast, Lior and his family, who have lived in Gaza for 20 years, but not for ideological reasons, are muted in their response. Although Lior is deeply saddened to leave the beach and the sea he loves, his family doesn’t wait for the army to escort them out but pack up and leave before the deadline.

Representing the majority of Israel’s population, Tamar and Yuval feel saddened and uncomfortable at the thought of removing settlers by force, but remain committed to following orders. Ye’ela is the angriest at the settlers — she isn’t willing to risk one soldier’s life to protect them in Gaza. Behind these young people are the enormous political questions confronting the Jewish state. Hootnick’s compassionate and respectful attitude toward all the participants makes the film moving and disquieting. There are no clear answers to the questions "Unsettled" raises.

"Unsettled" opens in New York today at the Pioneer Theater, 155 East Third St.