A row has erupted over a cinema's plans to screen a documentary about events in Palestine.

Jeremy Hardy Vs The Israeli Army is showing at the Duke of York's Cinema in Brighton this weekend.

Hardy, a comedian, will hold a question and answer session after tonight's 6.30pm screening.

The film shows Hardy trying to end occupation of the West Bank and sells itself as a dark comedic documentary - but sections of Brighton's Jewish community have failed to see the funny side.

Cinema manager Blake Smith said he had received several letters and emails from members of the Jewish community and Zionist organisations who believed the film was biased and did not want it shown.

He said: "Our position is we won't censor a film for political reasons and we intend to go ahead with the screenings this weekend.

"Jeremy Hardy will be taking a question and answer session after the screening today so people will have an opportunity to make their points in a forum of open debate."

He denied the cinema was biased, saying the cinema hosted the Jewish Film Festival each year.

The documentary follows the work of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) and critics have said it gives a better idea of conditions on the ground in Palestine than a thousand news reports.

The London-based Zionist Federation of Great Britain, which has written to the cinema, said they had been contacted by people in the Brighton area worried about the screening.

Spokeswoman Saron Segel said: "We object to the showing of the film because we feel it is very one-sided and portrays only one view in what is a very complex situation.

"The ISM operates illegally and does not seek a peaceful solution to the Middle East. It is sad many people are trying to distort the reality of the situation in the Middle East. We would welcome the cinema hosting a more balanced film."