Spielberg's Munich splits Rome Jews

Movie criticized for treating terrorists and Mossad alike (ANSA) - Rome, January 4 - Steven Spielberg's new film about the hunt for the murderers of 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics has stirred conflicting reactions from Roman Jews .

Munich, which previewed here Tuesday, tells the story of the Mossad squad that tracked down and killed without trial the Palestinians from the so-called Black September group believed responsible for massacre. By highlighting the scruples of the team's leader, Avner, the movie also raises issues about whether it can ever be right to operate outside the law to combat terrorism .

"Cinematographically, it is a great film, but the contents leave something to be desired," Vittorio Pavoncello, a member of Rome's Jewish Community Council, said after the preview. Pavoncello's main objection was that the film "puts terrorism and those who protect us from terrorism on the same level; Israel had to defend itself and I don't think that those who chose to join Mossad could have had regrets." He also expressed doubts about Spielberg's version of history .

"I don't think there was just one squad tracking down the Palestinians, but many," Pavoncello said. "Nor does it seem historically right to me to saddle Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir with the responsibility for what, in Spielberg's story, is a vendetta. "What's more, the Mossad agents are shown as being very careless, but Mossad knows very well who to choose and who not to." Rome Jewish Community Culture Councillor Victor Magiar, on the other hand, was generous with praise. "I liked the film very much, not just from a cinematic point of view, but also for the message it aims to communicate," said Magiar. "It's a totally correct reconstruction of the 1970s. I think one of the main messages is that, even in difficult times, you must not lose track of ethical conduct and responsibility for your actions .

"The film does not say who was right or wrong, but argues that the path of violence cannot lead anywhere. It also raises the question of how to combat terrorism "You cannot go beyond certain limits in the fight against terrorism. In this sense it is a very beautiful film with no rhetoric and with great humanity." Munich, which comes out in Italy on January 27, is based on a book called Vengeance by Juval Aviv, the man who claims he was the leader of the squad

osted on Wed, Jan. 04, 2006