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Why The Last of Us’ Connection to the the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Is Creating Controversy

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In 2013, The Last of Us was launched and swiftly climbed to become one of the 21st century’s most beloved video games. Fast forward a decade, and the HBO series adaptation was warmly received as the epitome of video game adaptations and an exceptional TV show in its own merit, garnering eight Primetime Emmy awards for its inaugural season.

Examining the controversy surrounding the hit show “The Last of Us,” which portrays a post-apocalyptic America overrun by a viral infection, we delve into the perspectives that have emerged as Season 2 draws near. We’ll explore the views expressed by co-creator and writer Neil Druckmann, interpretations drawn from the game’s underlying themes, and how these discussions align with the complex discourse about Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank in popular culture.

What Druckmann has said about the games’ inspiration

Neil Druckmann, creator of the game, has acknowledged that certain instances within the series have been inspired by conflicts in regions like Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, yet he’s never stated that these games are built around this specific conflict. In fact, Druckmann himself moved away from Israel when he was 11 years old, in 1989.

2013’s “The Last of Us” ends with Joel choosing not to sacrifice Ellie, whose life could potentially be used to halt the virus. This decision in the game is reminiscent of events in Israeli history, specifically the 2011 prisoner exchange where Gilad Shalit was freed in exchange for 1,027 prisoners. On the official PlayStation podcast, Druckmann drew a parallel between Joel’s choice and this historical event, suggesting that if Joel were making the decision to save a stranger, he may have chosen differently. However, when it came to his own tribe or daughter, there was no question about what he would do.

In the sequel of the game, “The Last of Us Part II,” I, Ellie, undergo a profound transformation into a darker character. This evolution in my story was inspired by Neil Druckmann’s encounter as a teenager with footage of Israeli soldiers being attacked in the West Bank. The cheers that followed such violence left an indelible mark on him. As he shared with the Washington Post in 2020, “It was the cheering that sent a chill down my spine. In my mind, if I could just press a button and make those who committed these atrocities feel the same pain they inflicted, I would.

After the anger had passed, Druckmann admitted he was repulsed by his own rage. This prompted him to ponder on how humans deal with hatred. He eventually conceptualized an emotional theme: could we, throughout the game, provoke such intense hatred that is universally experienced in a way similar to unconditional love?

In an interview with Haaretz in 2023, Druckmann emphasized a significant distinction between being influenced by something and building a game upon it. He clarified that The Last of Us Part II was inspired by, not derived from, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This nuance is crucial because his inspiration stems from his personal experiences of cycles of violence, growing up in Israel, particularly in the West Bank, and then observing similar conflicts from a distance when he moved to the United States.

Druckmann went on to explain that the game heavily explores tribal mentality. This can manifest on a grand scale between warring factions over territory, reminiscent of conflicts in the West Bank, but also within a group itself…a feeling of superiority among its members. When one feels righteous, it becomes effortless to belittle another group, believing them inferior and asserting that they are wrong, which then justifies the use of violence against them.

How does The Last of Us Part II reflect this?

2020 Vice article author Emmanuel Maiberg stated that the game portrays Palestinian experiences as marginalized, reinforcing an unfortunate current situation. Maiberg noted, among other things, that the virtual Seattle in the game is characterized by checkpoints, security walls, and barriers, drawing attention to its resemblance with the barricades around the West Bank.

Warning! Plot spoilers for The Last of Us Part II video game (and potentially future episodes of the TV series) are coming up. If you want to avoid knowing about the storyline, please move on to the next section now.

to locate Abby and exact punishment. No obstacle will deter her from achieving this goal.

In this new scenario, it’s revealed that Ellie learns Abby has gone to Seattle. Upon arrival, she encounters a struggle for power between two groups, the Wolves and the Seraphites, reminiscent of conflicts in certain regions. The similarities to Middle Eastern violence are striking. The Seraphites navigate Seattle much like Hamas navigates Gaza through an underground tunnel system. They exhibit a strict intolerance towards minorities, reflecting reports about human rights issues under Hamas (such as Amnesty International’s stance on the ban of consensual same-sex acts in Gaza). This intolerance is highlighted in the storyline of Lev, a transgender character trying to escape the Seraphites. At one juncture, Ellie stumbles upon “Martyr Gate,” the site where the leader of the Seraphites perished, hinting at martyrdom playing a crucial role in their culture.

Although someone knowledgeable about the conflict may notice similarities, it’s important to point out that numerous players might enjoy the game without drawing any connections. The battle between the Wolves and the Scars serves as a subplot compared to the primary storyline involving Ellie and Abby.

Throughout a surprising turn, players eventually take on the role of Abby for a significant stretch of the game’s approximately 30-hour narrative. As the story unfolds, they come to grasp her personal struggles and relentless pursuit of avenging her father’s death. The second part of the game delves deeply into understanding the adversary, leading us to question whether Abby is fundamentally any different from Ellie. We witness Abby nurturing Yara and Lev, who are escaping the Seraphites. She demonstrates loyalty, compassion, and kindness. Both Abby and Ellie navigate a merciless post-apocalyptic landscape, marked by sorrow and rage. They both believe their only recourse is to fight, perpetuating the cycles of violence that have defined their existence.

In the end, the battle between Ellie and Abby on a Californian coastline is incredibly intense, driven by two individuals with contrasting backgrounds, igniting a struggle for existence. Over time, Ellie takes control of the situation, providing her the chance to carry out her mission, yet instead of drowning Abby in the sea, she hesitates and decides to spare her life.

In the sequel, or Part II, Ellie’s actions are fueled by a deep-seated hatred and an insatiable need for vengeance. Actions that were unthinkable for her character in the initial game, actions she even seems unsure about performing. Her bond with Dina, her girlfriend, deteriorates due to Ellie’s inability to move past her obsession with seeking retribution against Abby.

When given the opportunity, she opts for forgiveness instead, abandoning her desire for retribution. This decision provides both herself and Abby with an alternative path in life, one that is more compassionate. This act breaks the pattern of violence and offers a glimmer of hope amidst the despair portrayed in Part II. If The Last of Us Part II has any connection to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it seems to imply a brighter future is possible, and understanding and empathy might be the foundation for lasting peace. Perhaps the cycle of violence can eventually be replaced with a more harmonious approach to coexistence.

Broader conversations about the conflict in pop culture

Since Hamas launched an attack on October 7th, 2023, marking the start of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, discussions about Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank have been linked to popular culture, with The Last of Us games being one example.

The making of “Scream VII” has been under scrutiny ever since actress Melissa Barrera was dismissed following her social media posts criticizing Israel, with one post claiming it was engaged in “genocide and ethnic cleansing.” Spyglass, the film’s production company, deemed her words as antisemitic, sparking a heated debate on social media. This controversy unfolded in November 2023, but fresh comments from Jenna Ortega, disclosing she quit the movie due to Barrera’s termination, have rekindled the discussion once more.

The documentary titled “No Other Land“, crafted by Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers showcasing destruction in the West Bank, caused a stir when it was nominated and eventually won an Oscar, despite lacking proper distribution within the U.S. Recently, the film has resurfaced in headlines after its co-director, Hamdan Ballal, suffered an attack at the hands of Israeli forces in the West Bank and was subsequently detained. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences issued an apology following an open letter that criticized their initial response to the attack, which did not acknowledge Ballal by name.

In recent times, when the live-action remake of Disney’s “Snow White” underperformed, criticism was directed towards lead actress Rachel Zegler, despite widespread praise for her acting from film critics. According to an article in Variety, the main reason for this backlash is due to Zegler’s tweet expressing support for Palestine, which allegedly complicated the film’s promotional efforts. Gal Gadot, another star of the movie, has frequently expressed her backing for Israel on social media, creating a perception that the two are at odds despite joint appearances on red carpets. Additionally, Disney appears to have downscaled the premiere of the movie, possibly due to this issue and other controversies surrounding it.

As the second season of “The Last of Us” debuts, online discussions are at a peak, coinciding with ongoing conflicts in Gaza and the West Bank. It’s yet to be determined how deeply these conversations will permeate discussions about the new season. HBO is set to release the first of seven episodes this Sunday evening.

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2025-04-11 18:06

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