Vice Season 10 Episode 3 The State of Israel & The Other Drug Crisis
- TVMA
- May 21, 2023
- 28 min
In season 10 episode 3 of Vice, entitled "The State of Israel & The Other Drug Crisis," the show explores two very different but pressing issues. The first half of the episode focuses on the complex political climate and cultural divisions that exist within the State of Israel. The country has long been the site of conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, and Vice takes a closer look at how this struggle for power and resources has affected everyday life in the region.
The episode begins by examining the role of the Israeli military and their constant presence in the daily lives of Palestinians. Vice interviews a Palestinian farmer who describes how Israeli soldiers frequently confiscate their land, destroy their crops, and beat them. The show also interviews an Israeli military commander who defends their actions, arguing that they are necessary to preserve Israeli security.
The episode also delves into broader political issues in Israel, such as the rise of the far-right and the increasing divide between secular and religious Jews. Vice interviews a group of Jewish activists who are protesting against laws that give special privileges to ultra-Orthodox Jews, such as the exemption from serving in the military.
In the second half of the episode, Vice turns its attention to a very different but equally pressing issue: the opioid crisis in the United States. While the media has focused primarily on the epidemic of opioid addiction and overdose, Vice shines a light on a less talked about but equally devastating drug crisis: methamphetamine.
The show travels to rural America, where meth addiction has become a major problem. Vice interviews several people who have struggled with addiction, as well as law enforcement officials who describe how meth has become cheaper and more powerful in recent years. The episode also highlights the lack of resources available to addicts outside of major cities, where treatment programs and other support systems are few and far between.
Overall, "The State of Israel & The Other Drug Crisis" is a sobering but necessary look at two very different but equally important issues. Whether exploring the ongoing conflict in the Middle East or the devastating impact of drug addiction in rural America, Vice never shies away from the complexity of these issues, offering a nuanced and empathetic view of the world around us.