IsraeliSoldiers Break Silence

SEPTEMBER 2, 2012

Israeli SoldiersBreak Silence

It’shard to hear, but I take it as a sign that we’re going in the right direction;that consciousness IS changing.Breakingthe Silence (BTS) is an organization comprised of Israeli combat veterans. Theyserved since the start of the second Intifada. They refuse any longer to staysilent.Theirtestimonies expose “the reality of everyday life in the Occupied Territories.”Their purpose is to stimulate public debate. They revealed abuses too gruesometo hide.Theyinclude “looting and destruction of property.” Many other crimes and abuses aremuch worse. In their own words, they reveal the deplorable immorality ofIsrael’s militarized occupation.MostIsraelis ignore it. They turn a blind eye to what’s done in their name. “Inorder to become civilians again, soldiers are (also) forced to ignore what theyhave seen and done.”BTSmembers have been revealing disturbing truths for years. A previous articlediscussed them, saying:“We,reserve officers and soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)….have alwaysserved in the front lines” (We) were first to carry out any mission, light orheavy, (and we did it) to protect the State of Israel and strengthen it.”“We….served….longweeks every year, in spite of dear cost to our personal lives, have been onreserve duty all over the Occupied Territories, and were issued commands anddirectives that had nothing to do with the security of our country (but wereonly given to perpetuate) our control over the Palestinian people.”“We(‘ve)….seenthe bloody toll this Occupation exacts from both sides.”“Thecommands issued to us in the Territories (have) destroy(ed) all the values (welearned) growing up in this country.”“The(way) the Occupation (undermines the) IDF’s human character and (exposes) thecorruption of the entire Israeli society.”“We….knowthat the Territories are not Israel, and that all settlements are bound to beevacuated in the end.”“Wehereby declare that we shall not continue to fight this War of theSettlements.”“Weshall not continue to fight beyond the 1967 borders to dominate, expel, starveand humiliate an entire people.”“Wehereby declare that we shall continue serving the Israel Defense Forces in anymission that serves Israel’s defense.”“Themissions of occupation and oppression do not serve this purpose – and we shalltake no part in them.”Womensoldiers also speak out. Their testimonies match their male counterparts. Theycondemn the corrupt state of Israel’s military. They want no further part ofhorrific crimes committed in their name.Todate, BTS collected over 700 testimonies. Soldiers from all segments of Israelisociety supplied them. They’re frank, bold, revealing, and courageous. Thosepublished were “meticulously researched” for accuracy.Factsare cross-checked with additional eyewitness evidence, as well as archivalmaterial from human rights organizations.Mostsoldiers remain anonymous for their own safety. They’re concerned about IDFrecrimination and societal pressures they’ll face otherwise. Israel doesn’ttake criticism lightly.Itwants no one obstructing or denigrating military or government policies. Doingso can be hazardous. Being Jewish doesn’t grant immunity. Soldiers bearingwitness to horrific crimes have special concerns. They have smoking gun proofof Israeli lawless.Theirtestimonies are damning. They reveal the real Israel. They destroy the myth ofa free, open, and equitable democratic state. Throughout its history,ruthlessness defines policy.Militarismis a way of life. Arabs are considered lesser beings. Occupied Palestinians arepersecuted for not being Jewish.EdwardSaid explained it powerfully. His books, articles, and outspokenness bearwitness to decades of horrific treatment.Hedescribed “Sharonian evil.” Among other crimes, he massacred children. Heturned Palestine into an isolated prison. He used tanks and F-16s againstcivilians.He,his predecessors, and successors committed virtually every imaginable atrocity.Netanyahu exceeds his extremism. He, Barak, and like-minded hardlinersrepresent consummate evil.Palestiniansare persecuted and oppressed for their faith, ethnicity and presence. Anendless cycle of violence, depravation, and degradation targets them. In Gaza,slow-motion genocide is policy. Inthe 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 ridof them, so they’re brutalized mercilessly.BTSsoldiers want shocking truths revealed. Everyone has a right to know. Israelisneed to know what type society they live in. Change depends on exposing it tothe light of day.USmedia scoundrels suppress it. So do European ones most often. Exceptions arerare. They prove the rule. London Guardian writer Harriet Sherwood headlined“Former Israeli soldiers disclose routing mistreatment of Palestinianchildren,” saying:BTSmembers described “beatings, intimidation, humiliation, verbal abuse,night-time arrests and injury.”Childrenmost often face stone-throwing charges. Usually they did nothing. At most theycaused no harm. They can face prison and torture either way. They’re horrificallytreated like adults. Sherwood gave graphic examples of soldier testimonies.Read the rest of the article…http://soundofheart.org/galacticfreepress/content/israeli-soldiers-break-silence