In one of the pathos-filled, flowery articles published last week by former Breaking the Silence CEO Yuli Novak in Haaretz, she explained her transformation from "just" another privileged Ashkenazi Jewish woman to a dissident – a persecuted opponent of a "tyrannical regime" and an object of threats and abuse. This is the price of resistance, she explained, writing she would rather face the trials and tribulations of resisting than endorse government policies.
Breaking the Silence is a left-wing organization that aims to expose alleged human rights violations by the Israeli military. Novak's opinion piece sought to use semantics to lend her and her group the glorious air reserved for those who, faced with testing times, chose to look evil straight in the face instead of remaining silent. She invited her conscientious readers, wherever the may be, to join her.
She could have hesitated before besmirching the term "dissent," an affront that in and of itself should stir feelings of disgust in anyone who has ever read a history book. It was important, however, for Novak to emphasize the high price of "dissidence." But when you think of it, what has Breaking the Silence actually achieved so far?
At first glance, it seems the group has accomplished very much. Since its establishment in 2004, and even more so under Novak's direction, Breaking the Silence has become one of the leading peace movements in Israel. It has garnered unprecedented support in cultural, intellectual and academic circles. It may not have won any official awards, but academic conferences like the one held in May 2016 at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev honoring "breakers of silence throughout the ages" are held in the group's honor. Senior academics line up to read high-profile testimonies compiled by the group at its events. There is even a movie in the making based on its activities.
But the fact is that in recent years the group has been exposed to harsh criticism across the board, as evident by event cancellations and a spike in the activities seeking to undo the harm Breaking the Silence has done. Despite this criticism, Novak has become one of the most recognizable faces in Israel and she is often invited by mainstream media to respond to the group's detractors. Despite no longer heading the group, Novak has likely retained a spot on various forums in Israel and abroad.
I honestly intend no sarcasm in saying that the group has a most impressive record, one that every civilian group would be proud to sport. But at the end of the day, the fanfare has done little to achieve the principal objectives of the group. If Novak is honest in her end-of-term soul-searching, she should ask herself how, if at all, have Breaking the Silence's activities contributed to ending the so-called occupation or advancing peace, or even if they were able to appeal to the hearts and minds of the masses.
Unfortunately, the group's main achievement, especially under Novak's leadership, has been cementing the perception that opposing the occupation requires questioning the ethics of the IDF and slandering its soldiers. As a result, the image of the group as a propaganda machine, spewing anti-Israel rhetoric around the world has been firmly established in public opinion. Public anger over this does not stem from politicians' incitement, but rather from an authentic reaction embedded in the Israeli DNA.
Despite the iconic status of Breaking the Silence among its elite fandom, the group has failed to contribute anything worthwhile to the anti-occupation movement, and it may have even undermined its cause. Breaking the Silence's addiction to fame and its wish to go down in history as dissidents have clouded its understanding of the psychology of Israeli politics. The attempt to paint their failed public relations efforts as government persecution is as ridiculous as their accusations against IDF soldiers and if anything, it proves the group has learned nothing.
