An Israeli Arab film-maker has won a court battle to overturn an official ban in Israel of his documentary depicting an Israeli military offensive in Jenin refugee camp in April 2002.
Jenin, Jeninwas banned by Israel's Film Ratings Board last December over what it called the work's "distorted presentation of events in the guise of democratic truth which could mislead the public".
But the Supreme Court today accepted an appeal from director Mr Mohammed Bakri, who argued the board had violated freedom of speech laws and could not censor the film based on the panel's perception of the film's accuracy.
Mr Bakri's film describes the Israeli raid to confront Palestinian militants in the West Bank camp through the eyes of its residents.
More than 50 Palestinians, including civilians and combatants, and 23 Israeli soldiers were killed in the prolonged assault launched after a series of suicide bombings in Israel.
The film quotes residents saying soldiers had committed war crimes. Soldiers who served in the campaign accused residents interviewed of fabricating events, including allegations of a mass grave for Palestinians dug by the army.
No such site was found by human rights groups that conducted inquiries in the camp after the operation.
Tel Aviv's main arts cinema, Cinemateque, announced shortly after the court decision that it would show the film on December 8th. But the showing could be postponed if the court accepts an appeal by the families of 15 Israeli soldiers killed in Jenin to delay lifting the ban until they file an appeal.