Paradise Now

"Even worse they have convinced the world and themselves that they are victims. If they take on the role of oppressor and victim...then I have no other choice but to also be a victim...and a murderer."


Based on this thinking, Said is able to justify to himself the need for a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv. I found this scene to be crucial to the movie. The audience hears a personal justification for the taking of possibly innocent lives and killing oneself. Prior to the above quote, Said discusses how he feels imprisoned, how the world looks on passively and cowardly at the Palestinian situation. Said feels that the occupation exploits the weaknesses of people and manipulates them so that they behave in a weak manner that is not normally custom to their personality. This is culminated with Israel convincing the world that they are the victim. Said feels trapped. His only option to escape; thus, he must become a victim and a murderer. The remaining question asks how else can one combat both an occupier and a victim?

This scene comes after the scene with Suha and Khaled in the car, when Suha argues for peaceful options to end the occupation. She suggests that Israel cannot be justified in continuing its occupation and oppression if no one gives them a cause. Suicide bombings are ammunition for Israel to continue legitimizing their actions. What I find interesting is that Said's conversation with Abu Karem comes after Suha's argument with Khaled. Whether this placement suggests that Said's is a stronger argument than Suha's is debatable. I am not sure we are being asked to side with either Suha or Said but rather to empathize with them and understand that without the Israeli occupation there would not be a need for their opposing arguments.