Israel: Film Screening Helps Hundreds Learn About Human Rights Abuses in China

(Minghui.org) As part of activities to commemorate Human Rights Day (December 10), the film “Transcending Fear – The Story of Gao Zhisheng” was shown in several cities in Israel.

Lawyer and human rights advocate Gao Zhisheng is widely known as “China’s conscience” because of his courage in defending human rights in China, including those of Falun Gong practitioners, who are persecuted for their beliefs by China's communist regime.

Mr. Gao has paid a heavy price for standing up for the oppressed, as have countless Falun Gong practitioners. He is currently being held in deplorable conditions under house arrest. He is in poor health, following long-term imprisonment and torture in Chinese prisons.

The film was screened at five theaters in Israel: Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Sederot, and Kefar-Veradim. There was a discussion and audience Q&A after each showing.

Falun Gong practitioners were present at each screening and met with the audience after the show. Asked if there was anything that they could do to help the situation in China, practitioners encouraged members of the audience to sign a petition condemning forced organ harvesting in China.

Israeli Parliament Member Nissim Ze’ev, who is known for raising his voice in protest against the persecution and forced organ harvesting in China, attended the screening in Jerusalem.

Several audience members wrote about their impressions to NTDTV, the organizer of the screenings, afterwards.

One wrote, “Last week I saw the film Transcending Fear. It made a huge impression on me, and I've already shared the story with as many of my acquaintances as possible.” She remarked that her acquaintances now wanted to see the film, and asked to be notified of future screenings. She even suggested a venue for a future show.

Another spectator said that the film was “Staggering and inspiring. Thank you so much!”

A spectator in contact with Chinese workers wrote, “The film left a deep impression on me, encouraging me to continue to be an advocate for human rights. I was shocked and appalled by the Chinese governments’ actions.”

One spectator wrote at length after seeing the film with her family in Jerusalem, "When the film started and more and more horrific facts on what’s going on in China were revealed, I felt the air becoming heavier and heavier [...]

"On one side of the screen–a movie theatre filled with kindhearted people, seated in the soft warm comfortable seats at the cinema, shedding tears, knowing very well that when the picture ends, they will return to their warm and cozy homes, and to their families.

"And on the other side of the screen–a cold and indifferent world, cruel and cynical, a reality so horrific that it cannot be grasped. A world in which people get abducted one day, never to return; a world in which there is no justice or rule of law, in which there is no truthfulness and no compassion; a world in which people are persecuted for believing in Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, for defending the weak and for struggling for justice [...]

"Whoever expected a happy ending was proved wrong. The story has not ended yet, but even if it is a good ending, nothing can erase the scars, the suffering, and the years lost. Nothing can bring back to life the millions of victims of this cruel regime.

"Following the film a debate was held. Hard questions were raised, 'Why is this happening? How can it be? How could this be going on right in front of our eyes? Why is the world keeping silent? Is there still a chance? Will things ever change? What can we do?'

"One thing is clear – it can change only if we get out and make the change. If each and every one of us would object. If each and every one of us makes the right choice, signs a petition, spreads the information, demands that our elected representatives take action."