Breaking the Silence

http://breakingthesilence.org.il/oferet/testimonies_category_e.asp

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 regardind 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.

Testimony Collection Process

SInce  2004, Breaking the Silence has collected testimonies from over 650 soldierswho have served in the territories since the beginning of the second Intifadah. The collectors of the testimonies are veteran combatants themselves. Every soldier who gives a testimony to Breaking the Silence knows the aims of the organization and the interview.

Most soldiers choose to remain anonymous, do to various pressures from official military persons and society at large. Breaking the SIlence's first priority is towards the soldiers who want to explain to the public about their service.

South Hebron Hills For the past year, Breaking the Silence has been conducting tours to South Mount Hebron. On these tours, visitors witness first hand the dire situation in the region. The tours also meet with a Palestinian family in the village of Susya.   The next tour to the South Hebron Hills (English) will take place on 16/10/09 To sign up, please contact: tours2hebron@gmail.com (Please indicate for which tour you would like to register and tell us a bit about where you come from, where you work/study, and how long you are in the country for.) Tour leaves from Binyanei Hauma (across from Jerusalem Central Bus Station at 8:30) Please bring a hat, snacks, plenty of water and 50 shekels to pay for the bus.    Hebron The next tour to Hebron (English) will take place on   23/10/09 (pending permission from the police) The tour includes a walking tour of the old city of Hebron (H2) and a visit to a Palestinian family in Tel Rumeida. Tour leaves from Binyanei Hauma (across from Jerusalem Central Bus Station at 8:30) Please bring a hat, snacks, plenty of water, and 50 shekels to pay for the bus. To sign up, please contact: tours2hebron@gmail.com (Please indicate for which tour you would like to register and tell us a bit about where you come from, where you work/study, and how long you are in the country for.)