"Who is Shlomi Eldar and why is the above interview particularly interesting?
Shlomi Eldar is an Israeli journalist and film director. He served in the Intelligence Corp, received his bachelor’s degree from Tel Aviv University in Middle Eastern studies and political science, and an MA at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He wrote his thesis on the role of security prisoners in the peace process with Israel, where he argued that the peace process began in the prisons, when the psychological barriers between the Israeli warders and the Palestinian prisoners were breached.
Eldar was the first Israeli journalist to interview Yasser Arafat and members of Hamas. He covered the Palestinians during the Second Intifada because he thought it was important to show the other side, and as a result of these activities, has stayed in touch with some on the “other side,” including members of Hamas, as he notes in this interview.
He’s the author of two books: Eyeless in Gaza (Hebrew) and Getting to Know Hamas (Hebrew). Shlomi is also the director of the documentary, “Precious Life”, which was shortlisted for an Oscar and is a two time recipient of the Ophir Prize for Best Documentary.
Shlomi is considered a man of the left, which is important to remember as you listen to
his interview ."