A Bottle in the Gaza Sea

Tal writes an email to Naïm describing her family’s visit to the square named after Yitzhak Rabin; they always visit on the anniversary of his assassination. She describes being at the square in 1995, where Israelis in favor of a two-state solution gathered to show support. Tal’s family was at a nearby cafe when they heard that Rabin was shot, and she describes the horrified reactions. People assumed the murderer was a Palestinian person, and they were shocked to learn the person was Israeli. Tal says this moment made her want to make films, though she doesn’t know why. The square made her think of Naïm.

Naïm resentfully replies to Tal, as he also remembers Rabin’s assassination. He says his family initially assumed that the murderer was Palestinian. Naïm describes the consequences of the assassination for Gaza, as the strip was sealed off. He says that when there’s violence, the Palestinians suffer for it, challenging Tal and asking if she believes collective Palestinian punishment is fair.

Tal replies with a profile-format email listing all the basic facts about “Gazaman” she does not know. She thanks him for his description of Rabin’s assassination as he saw it but says he shouldn’t chastise or insult constantly.