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Breaking the Silence: Israeli Army Veterans Tour U.S. & Canada to Speak Out Against Occupation

Democracy Now!・44 minutes read

The death toll in Gaza surpasses 33,400, with the International Court of Justice finding a plausible case of genocide by Israel while violence against Palestinians in the West Bank escalates. Breaking the Silence, led by Israeli Army veterans, faces aggression but advocates for peace and raises awareness about the occupation through campus tours in the US.

Insights

  • Breaking the Silence, led by Israeli Army veterans like Nadav Bman and Tal Sagi, sheds light on Israeli soldiers' lack of awareness about the occupation's impact on Palestinians and conducts educational tours in the US to advocate for peace and ceasefire in Gaza.
  • The Israeli government's focus on winning the conflict to maintain power, hindering efforts for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid in Gaza, while former soldiers from Breaking the Silence emphasize the importance of diverse conversations and understanding the human aspect of Palestinians to shift perspectives on the conflict and address the system of apartheid in the West Bank and Gaza.

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Recent questions

  • What is Breaking the Silence and its mission?

    Breaking the Silence is an anti-occupation group founded by Israeli Army veterans in 2004. Their mission is to speak out against violence and raise awareness about the realities of the occupation in the West Bank and Gaza. They conduct campus tours in the US to advocate for peace and ceasefire in Gaza, despite facing aggression for their activism.

  • What challenges do IDF deserters face in Israel?

    IDF soldier Tom Mnik's refusal to serve and subsequent imprisonment sheds light on the challenges faced by deserters and conscientious objectors in Israel. The government's focus on winning the conflict rather than addressing the suffering of Palestinians creates a difficult environment for those who oppose military actions.

  • How has Breaking the Silence grown over the years?

    Breaking the Silence has grown from seven to 30 employees, conducting 700 education events yearly and involving 18,000 people in tours to the West Bank. With over 1400 testifiers from various units in the West Bank and Gaza, the organization aims to educate people on the realities of the occupation and advocate for change.

  • What is the international response to the situation in Gaza?

    The International Court of Justice finds a plausible case of Israel committing genocide in Gaza, highlighting the severity of the conflict. The US government is urged to pressure Israel for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid in Gaza, while representatives from Breaking the Silence are traveling to Canada to raise awareness and advocate for change globally.

  • What impact does Breaking the Silence have on Israeli society?

    Former Israeli soldiers from Breaking the Silence, like Nadav Bman and Tal Sagi, share their experiences in the West Bank and Gaza to promote a diverse conversation and understanding of the conflict. By engaging with Jewish congregations and various influential parties globally, the organization aims to shift perspectives and advocate for a peaceful resolution in the region.

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Summary

00:00

Israeli group exposes occupation violence, advocates peace.

  • Official death toll in Gaza exceeds 33,400, including 14,000 children, with 76,000 wounded and 1.7 million displaced Palestinians.
  • International Court of Justice finds a plausible case of Israel committing genocide in Gaza.
  • Israeli soldiers and settlers' violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has escalated, with over 450 Palestinians killed in the last 6 months and 14 villages depopulated.
  • Breaking the Silence, an anti-occupation group led by Israeli Army veterans, founded in 2004, speaks out against violence.
  • Nadav Bman, Breaking the Silence's deputy director, served in the West Bank and Gaza from 2005 to 2008.
  • Tal Sagi, Breaking the Silence's education director, served in Hebron, a major West Bank city.
  • Israeli soldiers' lack of awareness about the occupation's realities and impact on Palestinians is highlighted.
  • Breaking the Silence conducts campus tours in the US to raise awareness about the occupation and advocate for peace.
  • Breaking the Silence faces aggression for speaking out against the occupation but continues to push for ceasefire and humanitarian aid in Gaza.
  • IDF soldier Tom Mnik's refusal to serve and subsequent imprisonment sheds light on the challenges faced by deserters and conscientious objectors in Israel.

15:52

Israeli Strikes Kill Palestinians, Spark Global Outcry

  • At least 14 Palestinians, including four children, died in Israeli strikes on the nadat refugee camp in Gaza on Monday.
  • The mayor of the amagazi refugee camp was assassinated by Israel, leading Hamas to accuse Israel of committing a war crime.
  • The Israeli occupation Army targeted a civilian municipal chief, Hatam Salah, in the almi refugee camp, despite his role in providing municipal services.
  • Around 50 protesters were arrested on Capitol Hill in the United States for calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
  • Two former Israeli soldiers from the group Breaking the Silence, nadav vman and tal Sagi, discussed their experiences in the West Bank and Gaza.
  • Tal Sagi described her initial normalization of separation in the West Bank and her realization of the oppressive military control in heon after her service.
  • Tal Sagi's family initially had disagreements about her activism, but most are now supportive after respectful conversations.
  • Breaking the Silence has grown from seven to 30 employees, conducting 700 education events yearly and involving 18,000 people in tours to the West Bank.
  • The organization has over 1400 testifiers from various units in the West Bank and Gaza, aiming to educate people on the realities of the occupation.
  • Testifiers from Breaking the Silence have not yet discussed the use of AI programs like Lavender in Gaza, but previous testimonies highlighted the extensive target bank and civilian casualties in operations.

32:19

Israeli government prioritizes power over Palestinian suffering.

  • Over 33,000 people, including 14,000 children, have been killed in the conflict, with many civilians affected.
  • The Israeli government's focus is on winning the conflict rather than addressing the suffering of Palestinians.
  • Netanyahu's primary goal is to avoid jail time for corruption charges and maintain power.
  • The initial war was justified but evolved into a means to keep Netanyahu in office.
  • The government is hindering efforts to release hostages due to extremist influences.
  • The US government is urged to pressure Israel for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid in Gaza.
  • There is a crackdown on campus groups advocating for Palestinian rights, leading to bans.
  • Former Israeli soldiers advocate for a diverse conversation and against silencing opposing views.
  • Events on college campuses have not been canceled, with positive reactions and engagement.
  • Understanding the human aspect of Palestinians has led to a shift in perspective on the conflict.

48:11

Apartheid in West Bank and Gaza: Concerns

  • The West Bank and Gaza are highlighted as areas where a system of apartheid is observed, with separate legal systems for Israelis and Palestinians, leading to concerns about potential international repercussions if the territories are annexed by Israel.
  • Representatives from Breaking the Silence, an Israeli anti-occupation group, are traveling to Canada to engage with Jewish congregations and convey their messages about the situation in Gaza to various influential parties globally, aiming to raise awareness and advocate for change.
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