Who was Alex?

Alex Odeh was born in Jifna, Palestine, a small village in the West Bank in 1944. While he was studying at Cairo University, the 1967 war broke out. Israel began a system of military occupation over the Palestinian territories and barred Alex, along with hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, from returning home. He emigrated to the United States.  

In his adopted country, he became an activist to inform the American public about his people’s plight. Alex felt that the Palestinian narrative was misunderstood, but he believed in the power of communication.  Alex was an instructor in local colleges in Southern California, a writer and a poet. He joined the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, serving as its western regional coordinator. Alex led efforts to present Arab American perspectives to the media and US public at-large.

On the morning of October 11, 1985, Alex opened his office door. A tripwire bomb exploded. He died hours later.

Alex is remembered as a peaceful person, a bridge-builder who engaged with the progressive Jewish community as a partner and was willing to speak to those with whom he had differences.  He was scheduled to speak at a local synagogue on the evening of the bombing.  Alex’s murder brought out expressions of solidarity that cut across religious, racial, and cultural lines.

More than four decades later, the case is still unsolved. However, the underlying themes of his murder and why it is still open, are as relevant as ever for understanding current events today.   

Alex is remembered by his family and community, but largely forgotten in US society. This film aims to keep his memory alive as part of the call for justice.