Jews in Samaria have decided to use cameras in their struggle against the ten-month construction freeze imposed on them by the government. “A good, strong photo that tells the entire story could shape the consciousness of the Israeli public regarding the settlers,” explained Esther Karish, Director of the grassroots Samaria Residents' Council.
After numerous scuffles with the inspectors and the police officers who accompany them, the Council reached the conclusion that the use of youthful demonstrators and burning tires against the freeze inspectors may not be enough for winning the fight. Documentation, they concluded, is just as important and perhaps more so.
In recent weeks, the Council has begun instructing residents from the region on proper use of cameras for both still and video footage. It has also raised funds for the purchase of cameras.
"The instruction is provided so that the photographers – all of whom are nonprofessionals who also have to work for a living – will know how to use simple photography to impart a message. The camera angle, light and shadow, the meaning of color, photographing a crowd and the ability to capture the meaningful moment make all the difference,” Karish explained.
The Council intends to train several representatives from each community so that they can send footage to the media in real time and thus exert influence on the headlines. “The media needs kilometers of information, in print, web and TV, and it needs new and exciting material all the time,” Karish said, adding that photographs and videos can deter violent police and soldiers, and they can be used as evidence in criminal proceedings and in damage lawsuits as well. "An assault against a citizen by a soldier or policeman that was will documented with a camera has far more power than anything else in a court of law,” she explained.
A similar initiative was announced last year by the Shomron (Samaria) Local Authority.
Arabs in Judea and Samaria have been making use of cameras against the IDF and local Jews for years. They often seem to enjoy the sympathy and cooperation of the media, both local and foreign.