Breaking the Silence, an Israeli veterans' organization known for its critique of Israel's occupation policies, has publicly supported the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, labeling it a crucial step towards ending prolonged suffering. The group described the ceasefire as nearly identical to a proposal rejected eight months ago by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a decision they argue extended the conflict unnecessarily.
In their statements, Breaking the Silence highlighted what they see as a toxic interplay between far-right settler ideologies and Netanyahu's political strategies, which they believe contributed to the escalation and continuation of hostilities. They criticized the Israeli government for prioritizing political survival over the well-being of civilians and for dismissing earlier opportunities to negotiate peace.
The veterans' group also took aim at the Israeli government's narratives surrounding the conflict, especially regarding hostage rescues. They contested the portrayal of military operations as successful, emphasizing that more hostages were retrieved deceased than alive. Breaking the Silence blamed these outcomes on the prolonged violence, which they argue could have been avoided had earlier peace efforts been embraced.
Their statements have sparked debate within Israel, drawing both support from those who advocate for ending the occupation and criticism from government loyalists and right-wing factions who view such comments as undermining national unity and security.
Comments