Christian film ‘In Our Hands’ brings Six Day War to the big screen

These events are of tremendous importance to Christians, filmmaker says.

By BENJAMIN GLATT
Updated: MAY 18, 2017 09:56
'In Our Hands' Poster (photo credit: CBN)
'In Our Hands' Poster
(photo credit: CBN)
Hearing Paratrooper Commander Motta Gur’s words of “The Temple Mount is in our hands” still gives goosebumps 50 years after the Six Day War and the reunification of Jerusalem.
Now, the Christian Broadcasting Network is bringing to vivid life on screen the miraculous events that resulted in Jews’ return to the Old City of Jerusalem and the Western Wall.
Filmed on location with an all-Israeli cast, In Our Hands is the story of Israel’s 55th Paratrooper Brigade. With first-hand interviews and historical reenactments, this exclusive docudrama focuses on the soldiers who fought for Jerusalem and announced to the world, “The Temple Mount is in our hands.” The film will be a one-night Fathom Events presentation from CBN Documentaries on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. local time in more than 700 theaters across the US, from Missoula to Fargo, Tallahassee to Terre Haute and all places in between.
“The Six Day War is of tremendous importance to Christians,” CBN’s spokesman Michael Conrad. It is seen as the fulfillment of a prophecy given by Jesus in Luke 21:24 – “And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”
“We believe the times of the Gentiles have been fulfilled – the Jews are back, and Israel has been reborn,” he said. “The Jews have been set apart, unable to assimilate into the cultures of the dispersion and are being gathered once more to the land of Israel.”
“It is important for each generation to realize that there will always be a Jewish people- according to Jeremiah 31:35-36, “Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for a light by day. The ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night. Who disturbs the sea, and its waves roar (the Lord of Hosts is His name): ‘If those ordinances depart from before Me, says the Lord, then the seed of Israel shall also cease from being a nation before Me forever-” and that the land has been given to Israel and her descendants forever: “I will give you the land that I promised Abraham and Isaac, and it will belong to your family forever” (Genesis 35:12).
While realizing the biblical and prophetic importance of the reunification of Jerusalem, he said, the film’s focus is the actual event of Israel’s extraordinary victory.
CBN’s desire to create the film In Our Hands goes back to the 1960s when CBN’s founder, Pat Robertson, visited Israel for the first time. The Lord impressed upon him that part of CBN’s mission was to be a blessing to Israel. This mission includes proclaiming the truth about Israel’s past and present.
While not being one of their main objectives, nonetheless CBN believes that the film should have a positive impact against the BDS and anti-Israel movements. World opinion appears to be increasing in opposition to Israel, and the propaganda issued by Israel’s enemies receives wide-spread coverage and often unchallenged acceptance. CBN believes it is important to know and proclaim the true history of the people of Israel and the land promised to them by God Himself.
“The truth is a powerful weapon and we believe it will impact anti-Israeli movements inasmuch as light dispels darkness,” CBN said.
A unique archive was used to help examine the battle through the eyes of Israel’s 55th Paratrooper Brigade and their role in the battle of the Old City of Jerusalem in 1967. Also, Avner Peled, the line producer, served for six years, from 1970-1976, as a sergeant in the elite military unit Sayeret Matkal. In 1976 he served for one year as a security officer in the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), and from 1977 – 1981, Peled served as a major in the elite military unit Shaldag, an Israeli Air Force commando unit.
Impressive scenes were filmed at Ammunition Hill with more than 100 actors and extras, and at the Rockefeller Museum, Mount of Olives, the Old City, Tower of David and more.
The film stars Israeli actor Sharon Friedman who portrays General Motta Gur.
For those who can’t make it on the evening of May 23, oftentimes when a Fathom Event has a good ticket purchase response, an encore event will be scheduled.
Due to the strong historical emphasis CBN also said it believes there will be widespread Jewish attendance. The network has also had a major outreach to the Jewish community and are receiving promotional support from groups like these: AIPAC; BNAI Zion; The Jewish Voice; Jewish Federation; Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center; Temple of the Arts/Saban Theater, and more.