One has to wonder if our presidential candidates are listening to information like this, about the reality in the Palestinian territories, which is being enable by American armaments and munitions that are provided to Israel yearly?
This announcement was recently posted by Cecilie Surasky of Muzzlewatch: Breaking the Silence will be again appearing in the United States.
This description of Breaking the Silence makes clear its peaceful intentions concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but also American complicity in what is a tragic human rights catastrophe. Is Hillary or Obama listening?
Breaking the Silence is an organization of veteran Israeli soldiers that collects testimonies of soldiers who served in the Occupied Territories during the Second Intifadah. Soldiers who serve in the Territories are witness to, and participate in military actions, which change them immensely. Cases of abuse towards Palestinians, looting, and destruction of property have been the norm for years, but are still excused as military necessities, or explained as extreme and unique cases. Our testimonies portray a different and grim picture of questionable orders in many areas regarding Palestinian civilians. These demonstrate the depth of corruption, which is spreading in the Israeli military. While this reality, which is known to Israeli soldiers and commanders exists in Israel’s back yard, Israeli society continues to turn a blind eye, and to deny that which happens in its name. Discharged soldiers who return to civilian life discover the gap between the reality, which they encountered in the Territories, and the silence which they encounter at home. In order to become a civilian again, soldiers are forced to ignore their past experiences. Breaking the Silence voices the experiences of those soldiers, in order to force Israeli society to address the reality, which it created.
Until today, Breaking the Silence interviewed hundreds of soldiers who served in the territories, and continues interviewing soldiers daily. These interviews are published on this website, in testimonial booklets, through different media outlets, and also through lectures and tours to Hebron. The testimonies are published with minimal editing and with complete confidentiality, in order to protect the soldiers and to encourage them to speak.
We demand accountability regarding Israel’s military actions in the Occupied territories perpetrated by us and in our name.
Breaking the Silence is again on tour and coming soon to Philadelphia and Boston.
As Cecile Sarasky states,
Though the message of Israeli soldiers who have served in the territories is every bit as devastating as the descriptions of occupation coming from the mouths of non-Israelis , it’s also true that because Israel’s own sons and daughters are telling their own stories, more American Jews just might be able to listen.
There is also the added dimension of heartbreak about what being part of an occupying army does to the occupier, something we know quite a bit about here in the U.S.
These former Israeli soldiers are to be given tremendous credit for their willingness to speak out.
I remember when conscientious objectors, out of a sense of protectiveness, refused to speak to press outside of Israel.
And today, just 5 years later? The soldiers are back for a repeat tour, which is being sponsored by some major Jewish peace organizations. Harvard’s progressive Hillel group is hosting in Boston.
Just a year ago, the Zionist Organization of America (a right wing Likud, i.e., extremist, Zionist group) tried to get the Union of Progressive Zionists kicked out of the Israel on Campus Coalition for sponsoring this tour. This year? So far, just quiet.
In addition to Boston, Breaking the Silence will be appearing at The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street, University City, Philadephia, PA, February 9-24, M-Th 12-5, F 12-4, and Sun 10-5. Opening reception is on February 9, 7 pm.