Screen Shots: State Violence on Camera in Israel and Palestine

Screen Shots examines the use of cameras as political tools by a variety of actors and institutions in the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, revealing the dreams and disillusionment of camera users across political divides.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 248 pages
\n Publication date: 01 June 2021
\n Publisher: Stanford University Press
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In recent years, the proliferation of smartphones has coincided with a concerning trend of state killings of civilians being captured on camera by both bystanders and law enforcement officials. Screen Shots, a research project by Rebecca L. Stein, examines this phenomenon from the perspective of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. Cameras have become ubiquitous as political tools in the hands of a diverse range of actors and institutions, including Palestinian activists, Israeli soldiers, Jewish settlers, and human rights workers. These individuals have all aimed to use advanced digital photography to advance their respective political agendas, driven by the belief that technological advancements would enhance their ability to document and expose state violence.

However, the reality has fallen short of these expectations. Stein's research delves into the experiences of Palestinian video-activists who seek justice, Israeli soldiers who strive to maintain a positive public image, and Zionist conspiracy theorists who accuse Palestinians of faking their deaths. Through ethnographic work, Stein uncovers the disillusionment and dreams that accompany camera use across these political divides. She challenges the techno-optimism that pervades these narratives and explores what they reveal about the Israeli and Palestinian colonial present and the evolving dynamics of power and struggle in the smartphone age.

One of the key findings of Screen Shots is the way in which cameras have become a tool of surveillance and control for the Israeli military. Stein documents the efforts of Israeli soldiers to perfect their military's image through the use of cameras, particularly in the context of military operations in Palestinian territories. The soldiers are trained to use cameras to document their actions, ensuring that they can present a favorable narrative to the public and to authorities. However, Stein argues that this obsession with image-making often comes at the expense of human rights and the well-being of Palestinians. The soldiers are often more concerned with capturing footage that can be used to justify military actions rather than prioritizing the safety and well-being of the people they are targeting.

Another aspect of Stein's research is the role of Zionist conspiracy theorists in using cameras to perpetuate false narratives and undermine the legitimacy of Palestinian resistance. These theorists often use footage of alleged Palestinian violence to support their claims that Palestinians are violent and anti-Semitic. However, Stein argues that these videos are often manipulated or staged, and that they serve to undermine the genuine struggles of Palestinians for self-determination and freedom.

Despite the challenges and disillusionment that accompany camera use across these political divides, Stein remains hopeful that cameras can still be used as a tool for social change and justice. She highlights the work of Palestinian video-activists who use cameras to document human rights violations and to advocate for peaceful resistance. These activists have been able to use social media and other platforms to raise awareness about the plight of Palestinians and to mobilize support for their cause. Stein also notes the importance of citizen journalism and the role that ordinary individuals can play in documenting state violence and holding those responsible accountable.

In conclusion, Screen Shots offers a thought-provoking exploration of the phenomenon of state killings of civilians being captured on camera and the ways in which cameras have become political tools in the hands of a diverse range of actors and institutions. Through ethnographic work and a critical analysis of the power dynamics at play, Stein challenges the techno-optimism that pervades these narratives and reveals the disillusionment and dreams that accompany camera use across political divides. The research provides valuable insights into the Israeli and Palestinian colonial present and the evolving terms of power and struggle in the smartphone age.

\n Weight: 388g\n
Dimension: 151 x 230 x 23 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781503628021\n \n