I Shall Not Hate

This vital documentary from the streets of Israel and Palestine charts a five-time Nobel-nominated doctor’s mission to turn personal tragedy into worldwide hope.

Dr Izzeldin Abuelaish was born and raised in the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza before studying in Cairo, London and Toronto. He returned home to become an advocate for regional harmony as well as the first Palestinian doctor to work in an Israeli hospital. But while his expertise has centred on caring for children and infants, his own three children were killed in a shelling attack in 2009 – the aftermath of which was broadcast live in one of the most devastating moments in the history of Israeli television.

Winner of the Audience Award at The Hague Movies That Matter Festival, Jerusalem-born director Tal Barda’s film recounts Abuelaish’s life through an insightful blend of archival footage, animated reconstructions and interviews, showing the extraordinary depth of humanity’s capacity to transcend conflict. Based on the doctor’s bestselling 2011 memoir of the same name, I Shall Not Hate follows the five-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee as he transforms his experiences of grief into a global campaign against violence and hate. Spreading his message in English, Arabic and Hebrew – and counting among his admirers former US president Barack Obama – Abuelaish stands apart as an indefatigable champion of reconciliation and healing.