born - baghdad

8/4/2019 Born - Baghdad

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BORN IN BAGHDAD

An Original Screen Play

John Mauritz Hummasti

Copyright

2005

[email protected]

1921 Hwy 141

Trout Lake, WA 98650

509-395-2699



1

The sound of water drips from the interior of a cave. A dove flies

out of the cave near Qumran and soars rapidly into the sky.

INT. BAR –TELEVISION SCREEN— NEWSCAST

A dark haired man in a suit sits at the bar sipping at a drink. His

hat and brief case sit on top of his overcoat next to him on the bar

stool. He glances up from his drink and begins watching the breaking

of the news hour.

ANCHORWOMAN’S VOICE:

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen.

Tonight we have a special announcement.

This afternoon the UN announced the “Al Axsa Peace Treaty”

between Israel and the newlyformed State of Palestine.

Following secret negotiations between the Palestinians and

Israelis, the Commonwealth of Antarctica as mediator

guaranteed the UN has endorsed a UN sponsored joint

economic plan as a condition to implementing the treaty.

A prostitute interrupts the man's concentration.

PROSTITUTE

Hi, I'm Mindy; care to buy me a drink?

Mindy rubs the man on the arm as she sits down next to him.

DARK HAIRED MAN

I do not care to buy you a drink. Leave before I

call the authorities.

Mindy

Well, excuse me! Are all Englishmen this rude?

The man turns back to watching the newscast ignoring Mindy. She walksoff to solicit another patron.

Anchorwoman

The parties have agreed to manufacture fuel cell

automobiles and modify existing automobiles to convert them

to use the fuel cell system.

In other news….



2

EXT. NORTHERN JORDANIAN DESERT. -DAY-

Palestinian Arab walking in the Northern Jordanian desert carrying

what appears to be a goat-skin bag of water slung over his left

shoulder. Over his right shoulder hangs a ruck-sack. A Jordanian Army

jeep rapidly approaches, dust trailing behind in a swirling cloud.

Four soldiers jump out and surround the Palestinian as the jeep

squeaks to a lurching stop. The Palestinian acts as if

this in the norm and seems unconcerned. He lights a Camel

non-filter cigarette with an old Zippo lighter after

struggling to remove it from the crumpled pack.

A soldier asks the Palestinian for identity papers.

SOLDIER

Identity Papers?

The Palestinian complies by handing the Sergeant his Palestinian

passport. The Sergeant looks at his passport and makes notes from it

in a small pocket size notebook.

SERGEANT

You were born in Baghdad? What is your business in this

place where only jackals lurk?

MUSTAFA

As-Salaam Alikum. Yes. Of course, I am an old Jackal. I

travel south to my country, Palestine.

Sergeant

For such an old Jackal you take this kind

of a risk? Here, (gestures) there is no water and nothing

but the heat of the desert. Why such a risk? Are there no

buses from where you come?

Mustafa

I am but a poor peasant. I am a simple vegetable farmer.

The Yisraelis took my parents land (he gestures violently

into the air with one hand) and now a settler’s city sitson it.

I cannot afford a bus from Al Mafraq to Palestine City. How will I

feed my children, otherwise?

CONTINUED

CONTINUED 3



Sergeant

Open the ruck-sack.

The Sergeant motions for a Private to check the water bag for any

concealed items. Indifferently the private feels the water-bag.

Mustafa places the ruck-sack on the ground.

Mustafa opens the sack, removing the contents which reveals

little worth mentioning in their report. As a Palestinian-Muslim,

Mustafa reverently clutches a worn copy of the Quran. The Sergeant

non-nonchalantly gestures for the Quran. (While flipping through it…)

Sergeant

You travel from Al Mafraq ? What is your

business there?

Mustafa

I was to arrange a marriage between my daughter

and a cousin’s friend. Could nothing else bring such joy?

Mustafa smiles with a leathery, worn out look on his face.

The Sergeant indifferently hands Mustafa his Quran back.

The Sergeant motions to the Private with a single gesture of his hand

inquiring if he has found anything. The Private shakes his head no.

The Sergeant motions the Private to the side with a jerk of his head.

Sergeant

Shall we give the old Jackal a ride further

south?PRIVATE

I think that if we do the Palestinians shall ask for a lift

every time they travel if word should spread.

Sergeant

Yes, of course you are probably right. Well, no

harm…. We know where to find him. In any event….

Mustafa relights his cigarette. The Sergeant makes a gesture for him

to repack his ruck-sack. Mustafa does so.

CONTINUED

CONTINUED 4

Sergeant

His Majesty's Kingdom offers a reward for your struggles

against the Yisraelis. Perhaps you want a ride south?

Mustafa



I am used to traveling in the desert.

(Smiling)

After all, I am an Old Jackal, right?

The soldiers climb into the jeep and drive off with a puffy cloud of

dust engulfing Mustafa.

Mustafa

(To No One)

Allahu akbar . I am safe thus far. When I am near Qasar al

Abd I will not carry such a heavy burden alone. Soon I will

be near Az Zarqa.

EXT. WESTERN JORDANIAN DESERT. –NIGHT-

A camp fire burns brightly in the night. The glow of the camp fire

provides a backdrop of the silhouettes of six Palestinians as they

approach Qasar al Abd in ones and twos.

SAMIUncle, you have water for this thirsty soul?

Mustafa

Ah, a thirsty dog in search of dirty water.

Sami

Uncle, the water you carry is very heavy.

I have come to lighten your burden.

Mustafa

Come Nephew, join our camp.

Shuha and a very pregnant Tali having their heads covered with the

traditional hijab begin to prepare some food and tea while the others

talk quietly.

CONTINUED

5

CONTINUED

Mustafa

Did you learn well at the Madrasa?

Sami

Of course, my Uncle. We are Falistini;

we would not have come, otherwise.

MUSA

Our lessons went as expected. They were hard

concepts to grasp but we learned them well.



Mustafa

Ah but you are the best and brightest of all

my students. I should expect no less from each one of you.

Foreign university trained all of you. Uncle would have

been affectionately proud of each of you.

While each one makes a whudu with desert sand as a substitute for

water, Shuha serves pita bread and hummus as Tali pours tea for all

to drink. After they have done so they make whudu and eat by

themselves.

Sami

And why should Uncle have been proud of us.

Are we not just doing our duty as faithful Muslims?

Mustafa

But this is different. We all here are on a

special mission to free the waqf of theZionist invaders.

Sami

This is not different, my Uncle. It is the

duty of all Muslims.

Mustafa

It is different because each of you has now

entered the true struggle against our enemies, made the

hajj, and are committed to becoming, if necessary,

shahidis!CONTINUED

CONTINUED 6

Sami

We have only been faithful to the words of the Prophet and

the Quran?

Mustafa smiles, silently says thanks for the food and eats.

Mustafa

You have all taken courage and found inner strength. Thisis your reward and salaam.

Sami

Shukran, my Uncle. Now I understand the

lessons from the Madrasa.

EXT. STREET FRANKFORT, GERMANY. –DAY-



A group of Skin-Heads in Frankfurt, Germany are marching in the

street. Anti-Nazi protesters throw bottles and other objects. Riot

police avoid getting pelted by using their shields. LOUD droning by

marchers, “Sieg Heil,” (with open arm salute led by leader) countered

from other half by, “Heil Hitler!” Police restrain the skin-heads

from breaking into the on-looking crowd. The leader of the skin-heads

is shot in the leg by a counter protester and falls to the street.

INT. HOSPITAL. –DAY-

A Skin-head, Hans gets out of bed at a hospital with a cast on his

leg. Conversation between fellow skin-heads quietly ends as

HANS

(shouts with a raised arm)

Seig Heil!

Laughter breaks out amidst the men.

HansWilhelm, I have an errand for you!

Wilhelm

(Imitating Sgt. Shultz of Hogan's Hero's)

Ya-vo Mein Furher !

He raises his hand in a semi-Nazi salute. More laughter.

7

INT. NEO-NAZI ROCK BAR

Hans sitting at a table in the corner; orders another beer by raising

his hand. Seated at the table with him is a fellow Neo-Nazi, Wilhelm.

Hans

I want you to go deliver a message to

Muhammad Yassin at the Lebanese Arab

Restaurant, Sabri.

Go change your clothes and dress

appropriately.

WILHELM

What’s wrong with my clothes?

Hans

Show some respect to these men your about

to meet. Give them this envelope.

This is serious business that's why I'm

sending you. Act accordingly.



Do not leave there without the return package

for me. It will say "Qumran Codes."

They hold a brief whispered conversation.

EXT. EAST BANK JORDAN RIVER –DAY-

On dunam after dunam of land a variety of vegetables and

fruits grow in the fertile soil. Truck load by truck load produce

leaves the fields for the open markets of the villages and cities of

Jordan.

Rabbi David Kohen walks amidst the trucks and workers observing the

method whereby his investment is producing capital. He is a swarthy

looking man that can easily pass for an Arab. David is dressed in

jeans, and a short sleeve shirt. On his head a green and white kuffi

rests helping him to blend into the mix of produce workers and truck

drivers. He approaches a worker and in perfect but rapid Arabic

RABBI DAVID A KOHEN

A’Salaam Alikum. How much for land here?CONTINUED

8

CONTINUED

R. Kohen

I know American investors who wish to

purchase land.

JORDANIAN WORKER

Wa Alikum Salaam. I am Sa'ad. Your American

investors, they are all Muslims? If not,(beat) well, nearly impossible to buy land

here. Perhaps over there on the West Bank...

Sa'ad points west towards the Jordan River.

Sa'ad

(Gesturing)

I must work....

With Sa'ad's voice trailing off amidst the other workers Kohen slowly

walks down the rows of workers politely asking the same questionwithout obtaining a direct answer. After about a half an hour he

departs in a produce truck bound for the Jordan River Border

Crossing. The truck is loaded with crates of car`a, a light greenish

yellow type of squash used to produce a popular Middle Eastern meat,

rice and tomato dish.

EXT. SABRI RESTAURANT –DAY-



Wilhelm enters Sabri Restaurant.

INT. SABRI RESTAURANT –DAY-

Shatilla, the owner greets Wilhelm.

SHATILLA

As Salaam Alikum. Welcome. This way.

Shatilla gestures towards the dining tables. Wilhelm follows his host

to a window table. Soon a waiter approaches with a menu. Wilhelm

quickly chooses and orders. When he is served Turkish coffee, he

whispers to the waiter for Muhammad. The waiter walks briskly to

Shattila and they whisper with heads bowed. The waiter gestures

towards the kitchen where Muhammad is working.

CONTINUED

9

CONTINUED

Wilhelm sips his coffee at the table.

Muhammad exits the kitchen and approaches Muhammad's table.

MUHAMMAD

Something is wrong with the coffee,

perhaps too little water?

Wilhelm

(Gestures with the cup raised)

Ahh. It is just fine.Sometimes there is never enough water in the coffee. I once

had coffee in Jordan.

Muhammad

In Jordan they serve it too strong.

In Iran the coffee is much better.

Wilhelm

Perhaps you can recommend a brand from

Iran?

Muhammad

I will bring you a sample.

Wilhelm

Don’t trouble yourself. I will come to

the kitchen door-way after I use the wash

room.



Muhammad

As you please.

Muhammad returns to the kitchen. After his food is served Wilhelm

eats some. He then uses the W.C. and goes to the kitchen door-way. He

stands to one side as he opens the door slightly to conceal his

removing the envelope in his suit coat upper inside pocket. Muhammad

approaches the door. Wilhelm hands Muhammad the envelope. Muhammad

takes the envelope. Muhammad stuffs the envelope down the front of

his pants and hides it with his kitchen apron.

CONTINUED

10

CONTINUED

WilhelmThe coffee couldn’t have been better.

Muhammad smiles and hands Wilhelm a small envelope in return. Wilhelm

glances at the title of it and stuffs it in his suit coat inner

pocket and thanks Muhammad in Farsi. Muhammad says thank you and good

bye in Farsi.

Wilhelm

Shukran.

Muhammad

Ahfwan. Kodah Hafaz.

Muhammad and Wilhelm shake hands. Wilhelm returns to his table,

finishes his meal, pays by leaving the money on the table and

departs.

EXT. LONDON MOSQUE. –DAY- SUPERIMPOSE:

Call for prayer from Mezzanine draws the attention of non-Muslim

tourists. Muslim men and women are entering the Mosque for Friday

afternoon prayer. Men and some women greet one-another with the

traditional “A’salaam Alikum wa ra’a tu’ullah;” and cheerfulresponses in kind, “Wa Alikum sa’laam!”

INT. London Mosque –Day-

An echoing sermon begins by the Immam. He begins by speaking of the

zamzam water that Hagar found in the desert and the salvation it

brought for her, Ishmael and even the whole of the Arab tribes of

Arabia.



IMMAM

Hagar found water and saved Ishmael. Today

our Brothers in Palestine discovered a

great cache of water in the Sinai Desert.

This will free them from the Yisraelis.

As you know, water in the Middle East is the

source of many riches and much contention

between those native to the Land.

CONTINUED

11

CONTINUED

Immam

I am here to bear witness that our Faithful Muslim brothers

in Palestine have begun the course to end all contention

for Water inthe Land of our Father, Ibrahim.

That contention is almost over. In a short

period of time we will have over-come the Yisraelis.

Those present in the congregation begin shouting, “Allahu Akbar!” The

Immam persuades them to restrain themselves

while he finishes his sermon.

IMMAM

The Nasri (Christians) claim that Isa

(Jesus) changed water into wine. We knowthat the Peoples of the Books have tampered

with the Christians’ teachings about Isa so

we will refrain from making much argument

about the water and wine of the Wedding Feast.

As you know, the Palestinians have struggled

long and hard for their freedom. They asked

for no miracles. The Quran expects no miracles from the

Ummah. The State of Palestine is

THE MIRACLE.

We once heard about a “Third Intifada.” Where is it? I

assure you we need no Intifada.

INT. SYNAGOGUE Shaarie Tzion Portland, Oregon

Ark is opened by drawing the two sides of the curtain veiling the

Torah Scroll to the right and left simultaneously as the Shamash

pulls the curtain aside. Rabbi, Kantor and Shamash (Third Person-



Servant of the Synagogue) chant the Shema.

RABBI, KANTOR, (and) SHAMASH

(ALL THREE SIMULTANIOUSLY)

Shema, Israel Adonoy Elohanu Adonoy Echad!

CONTINUED

12

CONTINUED

Kantor and Others then read from the Torah Scroll followed by the

Rabbi’s Drash (sermon on the weeks Torah portion).

R. Kohen

(In Rapid English)

We read from this weeks’ Torah portion that in

every city you shall establish Courts of justice. What

does this verse come to teach us?

SHLOMO (The Kantor)

This verse teaches that we are to establish Courts of Law

to enforce the Torah.

R. Kohen

Does it really? Is there not another

teaching? Naveh?

NAVEH

Maybe it is teaching us to be the best

example of justice for all non-Jews to

emulate?

R. Kohen

Anyone else? (Beat) Well, this verse uses

an interesting verb in which the context

is implying a prophetic tense.

It is implying that we Jews will one day

establish justice for all human beings.

Shlomo

(Privately to Rabbi)

Rabbi those are not the words of the Mishneh.Maimonides writes that we have an obligation to

establish Courts in every City.

In that way we will prohibit that which is forbidden and

allow that which is permissible.

We are not to add to or take away from those words. We should talk.

Let’s finish….

R. Kohen



(Privately to Shlomo)

Maimonidies wrote many things. We'll talk later.

13

EXT. PALESTINE CITY – SHORES OF YAM MALAK (DEAD SEA) NEAR JOINT

ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CHECK POINT –DAY-

Mustafa's group of Palestinians approach Palestine City and stop to

quickly discuss further plans before they all break up into pairs or

singles to allow for easier and more secure passage through the joint

Israeli-Palestinian security checkpoint.

Mustafa

We must all be brave. We are committed

to freeing Palestine from all non-Islamic

cultural values and influences. The danger to all

of us grows greater as we draw closer to home.

Sami

Uncle, you are very troubled. Please,

let us help you….

Mustafa

Sami, my nephew; if you wish to ease my

burden then please take this Quran.

Many secrets are contained within it. Please guard it well;

with your life if necessary.

Musa

Shukran, Uncle. We will guard it well.

Mustafa

(Tapping Water Bag)

It is this water which our group hopes

to use against the Zionists.

You know what it contains.

We will wipe out those European foreign

invaders of the waqf given to the Umma

by Allah!

INT. PALESTINIAN SECURITY CHECK POINT –DAY-

Mustafa, standing in line is directed forward, searched and

instructed with an indifferent gesture to proceed through the metal

detector. He carries his water bag through the metal detector as if

it is exempt from the x-ray machine.

CONTINUED



14

CONTINUED

As the detectors buzzer goes off Mustafa holds his Zippo lighter

aloft. Suddenly near the end of the line of Palestinians, commuters,

tourists, and journalists a commotion erupts in virulent Arabic.

All heads and eyes turn towards the voices causing the commotion.

Sami’s voice is the loudest.

He is (under a ruse), creating a disturbance to allow Mustafa time to

escape detection and exit the checkpoint.

In reaction, Mustafa wears a shocked expression on his face for a

brief moment. He exits the check-point without drawing attention to

himself. He merges with the pedestrian traffic on Sadat Avenue. The

guards have not noticed that he departed. A security camera recordshis departure.

EXT. SADAT AVENUE –PALESTINE CITY- DAY

Mustafa starts to hail a yellow and green taxi when the sound of a

burst of automatic rifle shots penetrates the noise of traffic near

the busy open market (shuk) of the city. The taxi driver stops. He

wears a green baseball cap.

Slowly a stream of tears trickles down Mustafa’s cheeks as he climbs

into the taxi. The taxi speeds off into traffic.

A checkpoint guard rushing out into traffic incessantly blows a

whistle for the taxi to stop. The taxi continues.

INT. CHECK POINT

A soldier seizes the Quran Sami was carrying that is lying in a pool

of blood. Nearby Sami lies motionless in the silence of death. An IDF

Soldier stands to one side looking around at everyone and rests his

gaze on Sami.

The District Commander of the Palestinian Security Forces arrives and

inquires of a journalist as to what happened.

15



COMMANDER

Your Passport please. What did you see?

The Journalist hands the Commander his passport. The commander opens

it, reads the personal information page, compares the photo to the

journalist and writes quickly in a pocket sized notebook.

JOURNALIST

The IDF Soldier was arguing with the

Palestinian over searching the Quran without

reverence. His rifle was slung over his

shoulder facing downwards. He was gripping it by

the trigger handle.

Commander

What else happened? Did they struggle? Did

the soldier hit the Palestinian with the

rifle?

Journalist

No. The Palestinian grabbed for the Quran.As the Soldier backed away he was looking at the

Quran and the rifle went off. The force, as unexpected

as it must have been raised the weapon higher and he

shot the Palestinian. It must have been an

accident.

Commander

Did you see anything else?

Journalist

I saw the surprised look on the soldier'sface when the rifle went off.

The Commander walks over and arrests the IDF Soldier.

INT. Tel Aviv Disco Mike’s Place BBC News Flash –DAY-

Cigarette smoke spirals towards the ceiling from an ash tray

overflowing with Marlboro cigarettes. Dark haired man sits alone in

the bar drinking beer from a glass. A pitcher sits next to his glass.

Between empty glasses neglected by the bartender sits a pack of

Marlboros. Dark Haired Man ignores his burning cigarette.

The bar tender yells at him (in Hebrew) that he will burn the place

down. Dark Haired Man ignores the bar tender.

16

BAR TENDER

What is this? You want to burn the place

down?

Dark haired man shushes the bartender with a wave of his hand.



Dark Haired Man

SHHHHHHHHH. The BBC. It's the news hour.

The bartender grabs a waste can with a scowl on his face and brushes

all the cigarette butts into it after emptying the ash tray into the

waste can.

BAR TENDER

All you had to do is ask. I would have

emptied it for….

Dark haired man turns to the bartender in anger. He violently

gestures to the bartender and then towards the television sitting

high on the wall.

Dark Haired Man

SHHHHHHHHH. I pay you to empty…. The news!

ANCHORWOMANGood afternoon. The UN has just announced

the establishment of a Middle East UN

Regional Human Rights - Terrorism Court in East

Jerusalem.

The first three defendants to be tried

under international law are the recently

arrested Mustafa Walid Ajun, Musa ibn

Radwan and IDF soldier, Shmuel Ben-Reuden.

The charges will be read later in the weekwhen the defendants are formally arraigned.

In other news Messianic Jews have filed a….

Int. UN Courtroom East Jerusalem-

The judges read the charges that have been filed against

two of the defendants.

Justice Dyer

UN Case No. 08-CR-001 AND 002-EJ/D-H-R.

CONTINUED17

CONTINUED

United Nations, Petitioner vs. Mustafa

Walid Ajun and Musa ibn Radwan, Defendants.

JUSTICE DYER

Defendant Ajun, stand in the dock.

Mr. Ajun you have been formally



charged with violating international

law.

The charges are Conspiracy to Commit

Genocide, Smuggling Nuclear Materials,

Membership in a Criminal Organization

and Possession of Literature Prohibited by the Anti-

Terrorism Ordinance.

Have you consulted counsel? How do you plead?

Carefully consider your response.

Mustafa’s family enters the Courtroom along with Sami’s wife and son.

Sami's son looks around in wonder at the high walls and portraits of

prominent figures of Middle Eastern history. Mustafa follows his

gaze. Mustafa focuses on the portrait of Moshe ben Maimon,

(Maimonides) the great Jewish physician, codifier and philosopher.

MustafaI do not recognize this Court. As a faithful

Muslim I can only be tried under shaaria. I

do not plead. I have consulted counsel.

That is all I have to say to this Court.

Shocked at his response, Mustafa’s wife gasps.

JUSTICE HATIB

Defendant Ibn Radwan, stand in the dock.

Mr. Ibn Radwan, you have been formally

charged with Conspiracy to Commit Genocide,membership in a criminal organization and

providing material support in furtherance

of the aforesaid conspiracy.

Have you had an opportunity to consult with counsel?

How do you plead? I hope you will consider your

response.

CONTINUED

CONTINUED 18

MusaI like my Uncle am a faithful Muslim.

I do not recognize this Court and have

spoken all I wish.

Justice Hatib

Mr. Ibn Radwan. You realize your family

is present and has petitioned the Court

in your behalf claiming your torture is



a violation of Human Rights accords?

Musa remains silent and looks over at his family with a look of

sadness. His son looks then turns away crying, and buries his face

into the lap of his mother.

Justice Dyer

UN Case No. 08-CR-003 EJ/D-H-R.

United Nations, Petitioner vs. Sgt.

Shmuel Ben-Reuden, Defendant.

JUSTICE JUDITH ROSEN

Sgt. Shmuel Ben-Reuden, stand in the

dock. Sgt. Ben-Reuden, you have been

formally charged with a violation of

international law. Do you wish the

indictment to be read openly?

SHMUEL BEN-REUDENFor the record Ma’am, I waive reading the

indictment. I wish to enter my plea at this time.

Guilty on the advise of Counsel. I was indifferent and

negligent….

Justice Rosen

Sgt. Ben-Reuden, you realize this is a

very serious matter? I advise you to

reconsider.

A commotion in the spectator’s galley erupts. Spectators try to shushone hijab veiled woman who clutches for her son’s hand as she quickly

stands. Surprised at the plea, Sami's wife covers her face with her

hands and raises them towards the ceiling palms upward and her hands

together. She alternately kisses her fingers and raises them toward

the ceiling. CONTINUED

19

CONTINUED

SAMI’S WIFE

(shouts repeatedly)

Allahu Akbar ! Allahu Akbar !

Ben-Reuden

I have entered my plea. Proceed your

honor.

Justice Rosen

As you wish. We remand Defendant Ben-

Reuden to the custody of the UN for



further proceedings at a time to be determined by the

Clerk of the Court.

Justice Dyer

We also have a petition to review that

was filed by Rabbi David A. Kohen against the Israeli and Jordanian

governments claiming the historical, ancestral right to settle on the

east bank of the Jordan River.

EXT. Streets of East Jerusalem -DAY-

Arabs bearing Palestinian, Egyptian and Jordanian flags march in the

streets protesting for and shouting demands for the release of

Mustafa and Musa.

INT. Apt. Building Frankfort, Germany -NIGHT-

Police pound on the door of apartment number 214 where neo-Nazi

Wilhelm Schmidt is sleeping with his girlfriend.

Wilhelm waking at the sound of pounding grabs a pistol and rushes

stark naked to open the door. He raises the pistol, but freezes

several meters from the door. With a burst from a battering ram the

door is broken through and police in full riot gear storm the room.

The door knob crashes to the floor. Hallway light blinds Wilhelm's

vision. He turns his head to avoid the light. As he does so the

officer with the battering ram takes a step towards him and raises

the ram over his head to strike Wilhelm if that is necessary.

CONTINUED

20

CONTINUED

POLICE SERGEANT

You’re under arrest!

Wilhelm slowly lowers the pistol he holds raised in a police stance.

Finally he sets it on the floor and places his hands behind his head.

He stands with legs wide apart.

A police officer handcuffs him. Another throws him a pair of pantsthat are folded across the back of a chair.

Wilhelm struggles to put them on. When he has succeeded his

girlfriend clutching her robe shut walks through the bedroom door

crying.

INT. BET YA’ACOV MESSIANIC Y’SHIVA (SEMINARY) NAZARETH, ISRAEL –DAY-

Bright sun light shines through the open windows of the religious



academy. The door is wide open. Rabbi David A. Kohen is studying with

a student. Texts of Talmud and

history lay scattered on the table between R. Kohen and the student

the pages stuffed with assorted items marking the places relegating

their current study.

Against one wall is a filing cabinet, computer desk, a computer,

chair and a very tall bookcase full of books stands guard over the

computer. Near the back of the Y'shiva a lectern and several rows of

narrow tables sit interspersed with hard, wooden benches.

The discussion between Rabbi Kohen and the student is occasionally

interjected with somewhat wild gestures, flailing of the arms and

pointing gestures commonly seen in Jewish academies as a means of

expression.

R. David

I do not understand how Weizman makes a

case here. There is logic in the final analysis to hisposition but he cannot be

right! Can he?

STUDENT

The Dead Sea Scrolls mentions Pella.

Also there is the matter of Qasr al Abd , the Castle of

the Slave.

21INT. BAR –WASHINGTON, DC — BBC NEWSCAST –DAY-

Dark haired man in a suit sips at a drink. He glances up from it and

begins watching the breaking of the news hour.

ANCHORWOMAN’S VOICE:

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen.

Tonight we announce the arrest of Wilhelm

Schmidt a neo-Nazi. His arrest comes as part of an

investigation into a ring of smugglers profiteering in

nuclear materials and technology.Schmidt was involved in a plan to

develop and detonate a nuclear device in

Tel Aviv.

EXT. NEAR EAST JERUSALEM UN REGIONAL COURT –DAY-

Television reporters wait on Nablus Road with camera operators at

their sides. Arabs and Mizrachi Jews in various groups stand in the



street discussing in Arabic the potential outcome of the petition

Rabbi Kohen has filed with the UN Court.

Rabbi David A. Kohen arrives in a Nesher Taxi. As he exists carrying

a briefcase the reporters and camera operators engulf him in a sea of

bodies.

Police in riot gear stand at bay to the sides of the street watching

in anticipation for trouble to erupt. Arabs and Jews raise signs in

Arabic, Hebrew and English.

The signs have various messages ranging from, “Palestine for

Muslims,” “Messianic? Not a Jew, Go Home,” to, “Middle East for All

Jews!”

Rabbi Kohen approaches the UN Courthouse amidst the sea of reporters

who are asking him a myriad of questions. A CNN reporter asks,

commenting

MICHAEL ZUKER

Rabbi Kohen, this is a historic day.

How do you expect the Court to rule?

CONTINUED

22

CONTINUED

R. Kohen

(In Rapid Hebrew)

With G-D’s help, favorably. For toolong Mizrachi Jewish voices have been

drowned in the waves of violence. We

are also refugees from Arab lands. Why

should it be that only Arabs can settle on

the East Bank of the Jordan River and in land

further East?

Rabbi Kohen begins walking up the steps of the Courthouse. The

reporter, Michael Zuker walks backwards and turns sideways as he is

walking. He alternately places the microphone near his mouth and

Kohen’s mouth as he continues the brief interview.

Zuker

Rav Kohen, you and your parents were

born in Baghdad. Do you feel that the

stress of being a refugee has had any

influence on your religious ideology?

R. Kohen



As a life-long Zionist I am committed to

living peaceably side by side with my

Arab neighbors. My status as a refugee

has only strengthened my religious convictions.

Although I believe in the

return of Y'shua as the Messiah….

Courthouse security surrounds Kohen as he enters the Courthouse. They

hand him a security pass bearing his photo.

INT. UN COURTHOUSE –DAY-

Security escort Kohen as he walks to the courtroom. Benches line the

hallways where groups of people sit or stand

quietly talking. Lawyers holding brief cases read through

legal documents.

CONTINUED23

CONTINUED

Two Arab women and a child sit outside the door of the courtroom

Kohen is about to enter. One is Musa’s wife and son. The other is

Mustafa’s wife. They look in wonder at Kohen as he enters the

Courtroom. They stand and follow him and the security officers into

the Courtroom.

INT. UN COURTROOM –DAY-

Bright sunlight shines through the high arched windows. Dust

particles glimmer in the sunlight. Through a side door Musa and

Mustafa enter the Courtroom manacled and escorted by UN Soldiers. A

soldier has a hand on the upper arm of both Musa and Mustafa. They

both look over at their families and smile briefly. They are directed

to be seated by their escorts.

Rabbi Kohen sits at a table near the bar preparing on a yellow legal

pad a few points he intends to make to the court. Sitting at a table

next to him are dignitaries of the State of Israel and the Kingdom of

Jordan.

Sitting in the nearer rows of benches are the few reporters allowed

into the Courtroom. A reporter with a PRESS name tag pinned to his

chest furiously scribbles notes on a steno pad in red ink. A sketch

artist begins to sketch.

The Courtroom deputy enters from the judge’s chambers and stands next

to the raised benches the three judges sit at. She announces



Courtroom Deputy

All RISE. United Nations Regional

Court for the Middle East is now in

session. Your Honors Dyer, Hatib and

Rosen presiding.

All present in the courtroom rise. The judges enter the courtroom and

seat themselves in their high backed chairs. They begin the session

by looking down at the defendants; Kohen and the spectators. Justice

Dyer calls Rabbi Kohen’s case to bar.

CONTINUED

24

CONTINUED

Justice Dyer

UN Case No. 08-CV-004-EJ/D-H-RRabbi David Ariel Kohen, Petitioner

vs. Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and

the State of Israel, Respondents.

Justice Hatib

Rabbi Kohen, the Court has carefully

reviewed your Petition. Is there any

statements you wish to make to this

court before we make a final decision?

R. Kohen(In Rapid Arabic)

I was born in Baghdad, Iraq. My family

had lived in Baghdad for centuries.

The State of Israel claims we are not entitled to settle in Israel

because

our children will not serve in the IDF.

The claims of the State of Israel are unproven and

unfounded. They are unproven because we have been

denied the right of Aliyah and thus the opportunityand privilege of serving in the IDF.

Justice Rosen

Rabbi Kohen, please slow down!

R. Kohen

With respect to settling in Jordan, Jews established

Qasar al Abd. As mentioned in



the Dead Sea Scrolls Petra was a place of refuge for

Messianic Jews. Rather than fight in various wars

against Rome, Messianic Jews settled in Pella, Jordan.

My ancestors, secret anusim settled in Pella. Because

of Islam, Messianic Jews fled to Baghdad.

CONTINUED

25

CONTINUED

Rabbi Kohen

As refugees from Iraq we believe that Treaty

law entitles us to settle on the East Banks of

the Jordan River.

Justice Rosen raises her head. She is looking at papers before her

but slowly lowers the papers and focuses her attention on Rabbi Kohen

while adjusting her glasses.


Arabs and Mizrachi Jews in various groups stand in the street

discussing in Arabic the UN Court cases. As taxis rush through the

street using excessive speeds CNN Reporter Zuker stands in Nablus

Street warily asking various questions as he dodges traffic.

During a lull in traffic Zuker asks a man holding a sign that depicts

a map of Palestine without reference to the State of Israel. Over and

under the map words read in English, Hebrew and Arabic, "Palestinefor all Jews."

Zuker

What do you expect the Court to decide?

MIZRACHI JEW

It depends on which case you refer to.

Rabbi Kohen has a strong case and the Court

should rule for him.

Zuker What about the Ajun case?

Mizrachi Jew

If they are guilty they should confess and

accept punishment. Perhaps that would be best.

We are trying a new thing here today so who knows

how a Court of this type will rule.



INT. UN COURTROOM –DAY-

R. Kohen

I have a map here which I wish to display to

the Honorable members of this Court.

CONTINUED

26

CONTINUED

Rabbi Kohen produces a map that depicts the boundaries of

Israel as agreed upon by Chaim Weizman and King Faisal I of

Iraq. He holds the map up for the Justices of the Court to view.

R. Kohen

This map depicts the boundaries of Israel that was

decided upon by a treaty between the representative of

the Jewish Diaspora, Chaim Weizman, the First

President of Israel and the King of Iraq, Faisal I.

Jordanian Islamic law mandating that Jews may not settle in theKingdom of Jordan is an official breach of the Weizman-Faisal Treaty

signed at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919.

ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER

Your Honors. With all due respect, Rabbi Kohen must

slow his speech down! The State of Israel has Treaties

with the Kingdom of Jordan, Egypt and more recently

with the State of Palestine! The Weizman-Faisal Treaty

is not recognized in International Law. Certainly not

by most scholars….

R. Kohen

We are entitled to settle in the boundaries

established by that Treaty; the Sykes-Picot Agreement

of 1916 notwithstanding.

Justice Hatib

And why is the Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916

not binding international law?

R. Kohen

A secret war time agreement between theFrench and British cannot bind public

affairs without consent of the body politic

concerned.

CONTINUED

27

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sykes-Picot_Agreement








CONTINUED

R. Kohen

In silence they allowed a Treaty to

be signed between a representative of my

government and a representative of the

Jewish People without making any objections

thereto.

Martial law must not be allowed to

dictate the conditions under which a free

society is permitted to live.

Justice Dyer

Rabbi Kohen, what you suggest to this Court

is that the Court undoes 92 years of

politics for the sake of a legal principal? This

is incredulous. Unheard of….

Rabbi KohenWhat I am suggesting is that law is law and

no government, not the British, nor the

French are immune from it.

I submit to the Court that the establishment

of the Hashemite Islamic Kingdom of Jordan was a

direct result of the Sykes-Picot Agreement. It

was illegal in its inception. A violation of

Jewish and Palestinian

sovereignty. I merely request that this

Court honor the right to self-determination!

Justice Dyer

Should this Court hear Palestinian

Petitions as well? This would interfere with the

sovereignty of long established nations. Why should this

Court intervene in such matters?

Rabbi Kohen

Without this Court's intervention by Judicial Decree,

the UN Charter and the

CONTINUED

28

CONTINUED

R. Kohen

Universal Declaration of Human Rights will have little



or no force in international law.

The resort to the rule of law aids in the process of peaceful

resolution of international conflict and is the only alternative to

the violence that has plagued Jews and Palestinians for more than

fifty years.

Justice Rosen

Rabbi Kohen, why should the Palestinians be

bound by the Weizman-Faisal Treaty if they were

not a party to nor consented to it?

Rabbi Kohen

The Weizman-Faisal Treaty is a secular

Treaty espousing the doctrine of Parens

Patriae which mandates equality for all those

coming within its purview.

Additionally, I remind this Court that Islamis not a religion of force and therefore,

Muslims may not insist that Jews live under

Islamic rule as dhimmi!

Mustafa once again has focused on the portrait of Moshe ben Maimon,

(Maimonides). His expression changes to a smile.

Rabbi Kohen

In closing, the plight of Mizrachi Jewish refugees who

were forced from Arab lands cannot endure in society.

We Mizrachi, like our Palestinian Arab cousins, are second class

citizens or denied citizenship altogether. We are entitled to final

settlement of our claims.Justice Dyer notices Mustafa's gaze and focus's his attention on

Mustafa. Their vision locks with intense gazing at one another.

CONTINUED

29

CONTINUED

Justice Dyer then looks over at Rabbi Kohen.

Justice Dyer

We will let you know our final decision.


Arabs and Mizrachi Jews in various groups stand in the

street discussing in Arabic the UN Court case against Mustafa and

Musa. As taxis rush through the street using excessive speeds CNN

Reporter Zuker stands in Nablus Street warily asking various

questions of those waiting a decision from the Court. Zuker asks a

Muslim man

Zuker



What do you expect the Court to decide?

MUSLIM MAN

My Palestinian parents were forced to flee

the advance of the Yisraeli's. I too was born

in Baghdad. The UN created the Zionist State, why

should they rule in favor of Palestinian Muslims?

The man looks up at the UN Flag next to the Israeli, Egyptian,

Jordanian and Palestinian flags flapping in the breeze.

INT. UN COURT EAST JERUSALEM –DAY-

Justice Dyer

UN Case No. 08-CR-001 AND 002-EJ/D-H-R.

United Nations, Petitioner vs. Mustafa

Walid Ajun and Musa ibn Radwan, Defendants.

Defendant Ajun stand in the dock. (Beat)Defendant Ajun?

A UN soldier shakes Mustafa's shoulder. Mustafa lost in thought

suddenly turns, acknowledges the soldier and then looks over at

Justice Dyer when the soldier gestures towards the Judges with an arm

outstretched, his palm facing upwards.

30

EXT. STEPS OF UN REGIONAL COURT EAST JERUSAELM –DAY-

Rabbi Kohen exits the Courthouse and CNN Reporter Zuker quickly

begins asking him questions.

Zuker

Rabbi Kohen, You spent quite a long time

in the Courthouse. Is there anything in

particular you wish to say?

Rabbi Kohen

As an admirer of Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, I

think his Epistle to Yemen, discouragingmilitant Zionism has been a well taken and

restraining force for Mizrachi Jews.

It remains a shame to Palestinians that they

have insisted on violence as a means to

resolving their conflicts rather than the rule

of law.



Zuker

How does that reflect on the case against

Defendants Ajun and ibn Radwan?

Rabbi Kohen

The Weizman-Faisal Treaty stands as the only secular

legal agreement enacted by a representative of the

Arabs that meets the demands of Arab Palestinians.

Zuker

I'm sorry I missed part of what you said. What is it

that you are suggesting? That religion is a private

affair that should remain out of politics?

Rabbi Kohen

Modern Zionism is not religious Zionism. Neither

religious Jews, nor Muslims or Christians can dictate

by force and violence how minority religious groups

shall be treated!

CONTINUED

31

CONTINUED

Rabbi Kohen

At least Maimonidies was right in that we all have

free will. Yes, leave religion out of all politics.

ZukerI'm sorry, did you say Maimonidies?

Rabbi Kohen

Yes. He argued in The Guide for the Perplexed , that

although the Muslim Kalamists were right in their

conclusion that all have a free will, they arrived at

their conclusion by faulty reasoning.

Zuker

Ah, The Great Jewish Physician to Sultan Saladin of

Egypt. Well, he lives again today.

INT. UN COURT EAST JERUSALEM –DAY-

Justice Dyer

Defendants Ajun and ibn Radwan; once

again the Court asks how you plead?

Neither Musa nor Mustafa respond. Mustafa is clearly uncomfortable.



He quickly glances at the paintings on the courtroom wall then looks

back at Justice Dyer.

Justice Dyer

If your decisions remain the same then we

will conclude this hearing and take the case under

advisement.

Justice Dyer looks intently at Mustafa and Musa. Then he raises his

arms in resignation, palms upward and bent at the wrists, stands and

Justice Hatib and Justice Rosen stand as well. They turn from their

chairs and walk single file following Justice Deyer into the Judges

chambers. The door closes after them with the sound of finality.

FADE TO BLACKNESS

born - baghdad

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