In 2023, Israel experienced a year of intense political polarization and social division, a period captured in a new documentary titled *Soul of a Nation* by Venezuelan-born filmmaker Jonathan Jakubowicz. The film, which premiered in Israel earlier this month, offers a rare and nuanced portrait of Israeli society during a time marked by heated debates over judicial reform and escalating tensions that preceded the October 7 Hamas attack.

Jakubowicz traveled to Israel earlier last year after hearing growing concerns from his mother, a Tel Aviv resident, about the country's political climate. Drawing on experiences from his native Venezuela’s descent into democratic crisis, he sought to document Israel’s internal struggles firsthand. The result is a film that chronicles the nine months leading up to the Hamas assault, a period characterized by mass protests, political confrontations, and military dissent.

The documentary highlights the controversy surrounding the Israeli government’s proposed judicial overhaul, introduced by the most right-wing and religious coalition in the country’s history. Supporters argued this reform was necessary to curtail what they viewed as an excessively powerful, unelected Supreme Court. Opponents saw the legislation as a threat to Israeli democracy. Over the course of 2023, these divisions spurred widespread demonstrations, with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets regularly, alongside public figures including military reservists, rabbis, and Nobel laureates aligning on both sides of the debate.

Jakubowicz filmed this fractious landscape until shortly before the October 7 attack, when Hamas militants crossed into Israeli territory and killed approximately 1,200 people in the deadliest assault on Jews since the Holocaust. The film does not mention the attack itself, instead capturing conversations that eerily foreshadow the vulnerability Israel faced amid its internal discord.

The documentary distinguishes itself by presenting voices across the political spectrum without favor. It features former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Ehud Olmert, lawmaker Simcha Rothman who drafted the judicial reform bill, and former Supreme Court president Dorit Beinisch. Contributions from Nobel laureates and Arab Israeli politicians add further depth, illustrating the complexity of issues such as minority rights and economic disparities. Notably, the film portrays scenes where no side emerges as a clear winner, reflecting the nuanced realities often absent from mainstream Israeli media.

Jakubowicz’s observations extend to the social fabric underpinning Israel’s politics, including the diverse backgrounds of the right-wing base, which contrasts with Western political stereotypes. A striking moment in the film references the Jewish fast of Tisha B’Av, drawing parallels between historical religious mourning and the deep societal rifts played out through legislative battles and protest movements.

The filmmaker initially withheld the documentary from Israeli audiences, citing concerns that the country was not ready to confront these divisions amid ongoing conflict and hostage crises. Its recent premiere in Jaffa marks the first opportunity for Israelis to engage collectively with this candid reflection.

Observers suggest the film serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of internal conflict and the dangers of political fragmentation in the face of external threats. As Israel approaches another election less than three months after the October 7 attack, the film urges viewers—both within Israel and abroad—to reconsider the nature of political discourse and the importance of listening to one another.

For international audiences, the documentary challenges simplified portrayals of Israel by showcasing its internal debates in full complexity. It features prominent figures often excluded from governance, inviting reflection on the country’s multifaceted identity and the ongoing struggle to balance democracy, security, and societal cohesion.