Breaking the Silence Exhibit: The Combatant’s Story

Zach gets it. The simple purpose of this exhibit is to elucidate that there is no such thing as a free lunch, and the occupation bears a price tag. How much we pay is up to us — Americans, American Jews and ultimately Israelis. Zach doesn’t say whether he believes the occupation should end or continue or how long or in what areas. But he clearly understood that we’re here to contribute unique information to the political conversation around the occupation. And for that, we thank him.

Disclaimer: The opinions shown here do not represent the views of Shovrim Shtika/Breaking the Silence or that of its speakers. The opinions here belong to the individuals who voluntarily contributed these video clips.

Last night, Breaking the Silence’s exhibit in Harvard Hillel opened to great success — 200 people, including members of the Harvard community, our five sponsoring organizations, local rabbis, activists, and reporters.

Seth Flaxman, past chair of the Harvard College Progressive Jewish Alliance, opened the ceremonies, thanked each of our sponsors, and introduced Frank Marshall, national chair of Americans for Peace Now, to introduce the exhibit. Afterwards, Oded Naaman and Dotan Greenvald, our two Israeli veterans delivered guided tours, participated in interviews, and screened videos of soldier testimonies from Israel.

Photos courtesy of Jason Schnier.

Dotan Greenvald, one of our two veterans here for the Boston exhibit, will be on Air America’s Randi Rhodes show today at 4:30 pm.

Dotan Greenvald, 25, was born and raised Kiryat Yam near in Haifa. He was an activist in a socialist youth movement, “Hanoar Ha’Oved Ve’Halomed” and after high school he volunteered in community education for a year before the army. Dotan was drafted to the IDF in August 2002, placed at the Nahal Brigade and trained as a sniper. Out of his three years of service, he spent two years in the Occupied Territories, specifically in Hebron and the third year educating youth before their army service. He is presently studying to become a tour guide in Israel, currently living in Tzorah, a kibbutz near Beit Shemesh and has been active in Breaking the Silence since the day he was discharged.

Listen live here.

This is Tony, who is very familiar with the issues of Israel, Palestine, occupation, and terrorism. He raises the very question which Breaking the Silence strives Israelis, American Jews and Americans to ask themselves: What is it like to be a young soldier with a very big gun, surrounded by potentially hostile Palestinians? The conditions of occupation cannot lead to anything except cases of abuse and humiliation. But what is the effect upon Israeli society of each soldier who must shoulder that cost?

And rightly so, Tony believes that American Jews are instrumental in the decision of keeping or changing the status quo. Will the occupation continue? For how long? In what areas? Is it worth the cost? This is why the Breaking the Silence exhibit has come to the states — ask us to examine these questions under the microscope, or perhaps through the weapons scope, of an average Israeli soldier.

Disclaimer: The opinions shown here do not represent the views of Shovrim Shtika/Breaking the Silence or that of its speakers. The opinions here belong to the individuals who voluntarily contributed these video clips.

Yehuda Shaul and Arnon Degani will be interviewed on live radio with Rabbi Bruce Diamond, who served as Military Chaplain for the U.S. Air Force, today at 2 pm EST archived on WGCU’s site below.

Listen to the show live by clicking here.

More photos related to this broadcast below. (more…)

We want to enthusiastically announce the relocation of our Boston exhibit space to that of Harvard Hillel! Please note that the address and open hours on our posters and email forwards have changed — please tell your friends and family in Boston of the change.

We hope to see all of our sponsoring organizations, community partners and friendly activists join us on opening night March 1st at 7 pm for light refreshments, thanks to our sponsors, opening remarks by former soldiers Oded Naaman and Dotan Greenvald as well as the first official tours of the exhibit! Let us know you’re coming or drop in anyway!

Harvard Hillel, Beren Hall, Second Floor, 52 Mt. Auburn Street

March 1 – March 16
Opening Night Reception on Saturday, March 1 at 7 pm

Exhibit open hours:
Mon – Thurs: 2 pm – 8 pm
Fri: 10 am – 4 pm
Sat: Closed
Sun: 12 pm – 8 pm

Huge thanks belongs to not only the staff and student board of Harvard Hillel but also to Harvard College’s Progressive Jewish Alliance for their work in making this venue.

Gordon visited the exhibit as a non-Jew amidst a larger crowd of Jewish attendees. What is most interesting about his reaction is his positive impressions of these soldiers for exposing the reality of the occupation. Contrary to what many Jews believe about admitting to the reality of the occupation — the fear that Israelis will be perceived as innate cruel occupiers and thus tarnish Israel’s reputation abroad — has contributed to his understanding of a dynamic, democratic Israel.

That being said, the mission of Breaking the Silence is not to bolster Israel’s public image. These soldiers demand that Israel and Israel’s supporters (America and American Jews in particular) be accountable to a reality that harms Israel, Israeli soldiers, and Palestinians as well. Being accountable does not mean “giving a rosy impression” of the Jewish State. Being accountable means future decisions acknowledge ugly truths about occupation.

Here is Gordon’s testimony:

Disclaimer: The opinions shown here do not represent the views of Shovrim Shtika/Breaking the Silence or that of its speakers. The opinions here belong to the individuals who voluntarily contributed these video clips.

Occupy eyed
by Jeffrey Barg

Can you do everything you’re told, and still be wrong? “Breaking the Silence” is an exhibit of mostly words and photographs taken by and of Israeli soldiers patrolling the West Bank. “American Jewry supports Israel as if they live there,” says 27–year–old Arnon Degani, a Tel Aviv native who’s presenting the exhibit with Yehuda Shaul, “but they don’t know what’s happening on the ground.” Some of the photos are stark and journalistic, but most are mundane snapshots. The subject matter ranges from blindfolded Palestinians detained for breaking curfew, to bullet holes in windows, to Israeli soldiers hanging out and having a good time. They don’t explicitly pass judgment or suggest an alternative, but rather ask viewers to acknowledge the harsh realities of occupation—whether in the West Bank or in Baghdad. ”It can’t be done differently,” says Degani. “If you side with the occupation and are willing to pay the moral price, I can’t argue with that. But whether you’re for it or against it, this is the price you have to pay.”

We’re pleased to begin posted testimonials from the participants of our exhibit — hopefully from all walks of life, all streams of Jewish and American life, and even a broad range of political viewpoints. We hope that the videos of the exhibit tours and those of our guests will spark a fire in the debate around the occupation and the impacts of it on Israeli society.

We welcome your comments on these posts and you should feel free to contact us here.

Disclaimer: The opinions shown here do not represent the views of Shovrim Shtika/Breaking the Silence or that of its speakers. The opinions here belong to the individuals who voluntarily contributed these video clips.

Disclaimer: The opinions shown here do not represent the views of Shovrim Shtika/Breaking the Silence or that of its speakers. The opinions here belong to the individuals who voluntarily contributed these video clips.