"Breaking the Silence" on Israel's occupation

JTA

February 26, 2008

An Israeli veterans group will tour the U.S. East Coast to talk about the moral price of Israel's occupation of the West Bank.

The group's traveling exhibit, "Breaking the Silence," includes photos depicting the relationship between Hebron's Palestinians, Israeli settlers and the soldiers who police both groups. The exhibit includes video footage, soldiers' testimonials, and photos of settlers abusing local Palestinians while troops stand by.

Critics say the exhibit does not adequately address the threat Jewish settlers face from Palestinian terrorists.

Yehuda Shaul, the young soldier who launched the exhibit in 2004, spoke with reporters Wednesday in a conference call.

"People back home in Israel have no idea what we are doing," he said. "We wanted to bring Hebron to Tel Aviv."

"Breaking the Silence" will launch its U.S. tour on Feb. 11 in Washington and then move to Philadelphia and Boston. The tour is being sponsored by Americans for Peace Now, Brit Tzedek v'Shalom and the Foundation for Middle East Peace.