Watch Jews & Muslims: Intimate Strangers

In 1945, the world discovers the horror of the Nazi camps. In 1948, the birth of Israel aroused anger and bitterness among Arabs and Muslims, but triggered joy and exultation throughout the Jewish world. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were expelled or fled with the hope of a future return. Within just a few decades, the vast majority of Jews living in the Muslim world moved to Israel.

History takes us to Europe: the French Revolution. The Jews, now European citizens, became the target of a more asserted anti-Semitism. At the same time they began to take a greater interest in the fate of the Jews in the Muslim world and to play the role of their protectors. Trapped between Zionism and Arabic nationalism, Palestine became the object of religious and political contention.

In the year 721, the Muslim Empire was vast. Jews and Christians were minorities motivated by a desire to obtain the most favorable status. Status did not prevent the 11th Century massacre of Jews in Granada and the forced conversion of Jews & Christians under the Almohads in the 12th Century. In the 15th, the Reconquista chased the Jews and Muslims from Spain which heralded the end of Al-Andalus

This is an account of the birth of Islam and a history of conquest stretching from Persia to Spain. For the conquered, what was their place in this empire? The polytheists had little choice but to convert and worship the One God, Allah, through the Quran. The People Of The Book, Jews and Christians, would be allowed to practice their religions, protected but restricted.