Commentators often cite the irony of Israel’s image as a “safe haven” for Jews being, in reality, not particularly safe. After all, it remains technically at war with Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen. Then there’s Iran, periodic Intifadas, and Hamas….
An otherwise mediocre film adaptation of a mediocre play called “Not Quite Jerusalem” (renamed “Not Quite Paradise” for reasons best known to the filmmakers) captures many of the cliches with which American Jews view life in Israel. For example, when the group of would-be kibbutzniks arrives at their destination, Kibbutz Elot, they’re tricked into hiding under a table after being told a crop-dusting air plane is really an enemy air raid.