[Movies that Matter] Special screening of ‘I Shall Not Hate’ featuring Q&A with Nobel-nominated bestselling author from Gaza

We’re delighted to host the Nobel-nominated bestselling author from Gaza, doctor Izzeldin Abuelaish, for a special screening of ‘I Shall Not Hate’, the film that follows his life journey as he became the first Palestinian doctor to work in an Israeli maternity ward. The screening will be followed by a Q&A discussion with doctor Izzeldin Abuelaish on his inspiring story where elements of international law are no longer theoretical legal concepts, but instead are deeply personal and can shape a lived reality.

Canadian-Palestinian doctor Izzeldin Abuelaish is a man with an unusually big heart. ‘I Shall Not Hate’ follows his life’s journey from the Jabaliya refugee camp in Gaza to the University of Toronto and the Israeli Supreme Court. Abuelaish was the first Palestinian doctor to work in an Israeli maternity ward, but his mission of forgiveness and reconciliation is put to the ultimate test when an Israeli tank bombs his house and kills his three daughters. Against all odds, he turns his tragedy into a global campaign to eradicate hate, delivering his message in English, Arabic and Hebrew. He is quoted by Barack Obama and nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. But Dr Abuelaish is still haunted by grief and convinced that to honour his daughters, he must hold the Israeli government accountable for the unprovoked attack that decimated his family. ‘I Shall Not Hate’ is a letter of tolerance from a deeply inspiring man with a message as urgent as ever.

Afterward the screening we’ll have a Q&A discussion with Izzeldin Abuelaish and international law experts from the Asser Insititute, that will explore his story in more depth where we will see the impact of international law and the role it can play in protecting people, facilitating reconciliation, and ultimately transforming it from abstract to something very personal.

Movies that Matter and the Asser Institute
Aside from this unique screening, the Asser Institute collaborates with the Movies that Matter festival each year on the Camera Justitia programme. Camera Justitia puts a spotlight on the relationship between global justice, international law and film and consists of: a competition programme with 8 documentary and fiction films accompanied by Q&A sessions; the Global Justice Cinema Seminar; the Masterclass; and the Camera Justitia Night. This year, the Asser Institute  Asser Institute and VU Amsterdam are working with Movies that Matter Festival to present the Camera Justitia Day on Thursday 28 March 2024. 

For questions or information about this screening please contact conferencemanager@asser.nl.

‘I Shall Not Hate’ Film details: Tal Barda / Canada & France / 2024 / 95 min