• Director(s):

    AMAR (STEPHANE), BERNAUD (KRISTELL), SCHMOLL (OLIVIA), LEDER (SANDRA)

  • Producer(s):

    ARTE GEIE, STEPHANE AMAR PRODUCTIONS AUDIOVISUELLES

  • Territories:

    Worldwide.

  • Production year:

    2015

  • Language(s):

    German, English, French

  • Rights:

    TV, DVD, NON-THEATRICAL, INTERNET, VOD

The Esplanade of the Mosques is the arena of confrontation between Palestinians and Israelis. The volatile area spans a few hundred square metres in the heart of Jerusalem. 

In October 2015 tension flared again in Jerusalem. A wave of Palestinian attacks brought about a violent Israeli response.
At the heart of the tension lies the Esplanade of the Mosques, or Temple Mount for Jews. For the Palestinian youth, at the forefront of the struggle, Al-Aqsa has become the sole valid cause, far ahead of obtaining a Palestinian State or the return of refugees. Armed with stones and sometimes knives, fuelled by the social networks and video clips on Internet, this youth is fighting for a sanctuary they consider to be under threat. Although the Israeli government denies having a keen interest in this sacred place, increasing numbers of Jews are visiting the Esplanade and openly stating their intention to conquer it. In addition, religious Zionist movements are stepping up settlements in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City under the lenient watch of the authorities.
These few hundred square metres, now at the centre of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, unleash passions and kindle hatred. Between Palestinian riots, refugee camps, Jewish settlements and scenes of attack, rarely has tension run as high as in October 2015.