Israeli
Soldiers Break Silence
Israeli Soldiers
Break Silence
It’s
hard to hear, but I take it as a sign that we’re going in the right direction;
that consciousness IS changing.
Breaking
the Silence (BTS) is an organization comprised of Israeli combat veterans. They
served since the start of the second Intifada. They refuse any longer to stay
silent.
Their
testimonies expose “the reality of everyday life in the Occupied Territories.”
Their purpose is to stimulate public debate. They revealed abuses too gruesome
to hide.
They
include “looting and destruction of property.” Many other crimes and abuses are
much worse. In their own words, they reveal the deplorable immorality of
Israel’s militarized occupation.
Most
Israelis ignore it. They turn a blind eye to what’s done in their name. “In
order to become civilians again, soldiers are (also) forced to ignore what they
have seen and done.”
BTS
members have been revealing disturbing truths for years. A previous article
discussed them, saying:
“We,
reserve officers and soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)….have always
served in the front lines” (We) were first to carry out any mission, light or
heavy, (and we did it) to protect the State of Israel and strengthen it.”
“We….served….long
weeks every year, in spite of dear cost to our personal lives, have been on
reserve duty all over the Occupied Territories, and were issued commands and
directives that had nothing to do with the security of our country (but were
only given to perpetuate) our control over the Palestinian people.”
“We(‘ve)….seen
the bloody toll this Occupation exacts from both sides.”
“The
commands issued to us in the Territories (have) destroy(ed) all the values (we
learned) growing up in this country.”
“The
(way) the Occupation (undermines the) IDF’s human character and (exposes) the
corruption of the entire Israeli society.”
“We….know
that the Territories are not Israel, and that all settlements are bound to be
evacuated in the end.”
“We
hereby declare that we shall not continue to fight this War of the
Settlements.”
“We
shall not continue to fight beyond the 1967 borders to dominate, expel, starve
and humiliate an entire people.”
“We
hereby declare that we shall continue serving the Israel Defense Forces in any
mission that serves Israel’s defense.”
“The
missions of occupation and oppression do not serve this purpose – and we shall
take no part in them.”
Women
soldiers also speak out. Their testimonies match their male counterparts. They
condemn the corrupt state of Israel’s military. They want no further part of
horrific crimes committed in their name.
To
date, BTS collected over 700 testimonies. Soldiers from all segments of Israeli
society supplied them. They’re frank, bold, revealing, and courageous. Those
published were “meticulously researched” for accuracy.
Facts
are cross-checked with additional eyewitness evidence, as well as archival
material from human rights organizations.
Most
soldiers remain anonymous for their own safety. They’re concerned about IDF
recrimination and societal pressures they’ll face otherwise. Israel doesn’t
take criticism lightly.
It
wants no one obstructing or denigrating military or government policies. Doing
so can be hazardous. Being Jewish doesn’t grant immunity. Soldiers bearing
witness to horrific crimes have special concerns. They have smoking gun proof
of Israeli lawless.
Their
testimonies are damning. They reveal the real Israel. They destroy the myth of
a free, open, and equitable democratic state. Throughout its history,
ruthlessness defines policy.
Militarism
is a way of life. Arabs are considered lesser beings. Occupied Palestinians are
persecuted for not being Jewish.
Edward
Said explained it powerfully. His books, articles, and outspokenness bear
witness to decades of horrific treatment.
He
described “Sharonian evil.” Among other crimes, he massacred children. He
turned Palestine into an isolated prison. He used tanks and F-16s against
civilians.
He,
his predecessors, and successors committed virtually every imaginable atrocity.
Netanyahu exceeds his extremism. He, Barak, and like-minded hardliners
represent consummate evil.
Palestinians
are persecuted and oppressed for their faith, ethnicity and presence. An
endless cycle of violence, depravation, and degradation targets them. In Gaza,
slow-motion genocide is policy.
In
the West Bank and East Jerusalem, Israeli soldiers operate like storm troopers.
Hitler had a Jewish problem. Israel has a Palestinian one. They can’t get rid
of them, so they’re brutalized mercilessly.
BTS
soldiers want shocking truths revealed. Everyone has a right to know. Israelis
need to know what type society they live in. Change depends on exposing it to
the light of day.
US
media scoundrels suppress it. So do European ones most often. Exceptions are
rare. They prove the rule. London Guardian writer Harriet Sherwood headlined
“Former Israeli soldiers disclose routing mistreatment of Palestinian
children,” saying:
BTS
members described “beatings, intimidation, humiliation, verbal abuse,
night-time arrests and injury.”
Children
most often face stone-throwing charges. Usually they did nothing. At most they
caused no harm. They can face prison and torture either way. They’re horrifically
treated like adults. Sherwood gave graphic examples of soldier testimonies.
http://soundofheart.org/galacticfreepress/content/israeli-soldiers-break-silence
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