Breaking the Silence

The Israel NGO Breaking the Silence was formed as a result of the disillusionment and concerns of a group of former IDF soldiers who realized that most Israeli citizens had no idea what was being done in their name to maintain the illegal Occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the closure of Gaza.

Producer and journalist, Cathy Peters travelled to Palestine in 2012 and met with members of Breaking the Silence as well as many other speakers from members of UNRWA, Gisha (an Israeli NGO seeking the lifting of the blockade of Gaza), spokespeople from Defence for Children International (DCI Palestine) and Al Haq, (the first human rights legal centre in the Middle East).

The resounding message from this trip was that human rights are being trampled on throughout the Occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza by the Israeli Occupation.

In the years following this trip things haven’t improved and a just peace for Palestinians is nowhere in sight. As the violence escalates, Breaking the Silence are now under threat by the Israeli Government that seeks to now silence them and cut off their right to accept funding from organisations outside of Israel, including the UN. (Dec 2015 – http://www.timesofisrael.com/yaalon-bans-breaking-the-silence-ngo-from-engaging-soldiers/ ) (Jan 2016 – https://www.rt.com/news/326706-breaking-silence-israel-ngo/)

https://soundcloud.com/cathypeters/breaking-the-silence-version-1-wav

Listen to the radio documentary – Duration: 52’20”

Speakers include: Chris Gunness (UNRWA), Yehuda Shaul (Breaking the Silence- Israeli NGO), Gerard Horten (Defence for Children International, Palestine), Sari Bashi (GISHA – Israeli NGO)Shawah Jabarin (Director Al Haq, Palestinian NGO), Scott Anderson (UNWRA Gaza Field Administration Officer).