'I don't see anything wrong with Facebook images of Palestinian detainees'
Former IDF soldier's pictures, depicting her smiling next to Palestinian prisoners with their hands bound and their eyes covered, caused a global media storm.
By Haaretz Service Tags: Israel news Facebook IDFThere's nothing wrong with the picture I uploaded to Facebook depicting handcuffed Palestinian detainees, a former Israel Defense Forces soldier told Army Radio on Tuesday, after causing a media storm over the controversial images.
 |
Photograph with Palestinian prisoner uploaded by former IDF soldier to Facebook. |
Photographs uploaded by Eden Abergil from Ashdod and labeled "IDF – the best time of my life," and made public earlier in the week depicted her smiling next to Palestinian prisoners with their hands bound and their eyes covered.
A comment attached to one of the photos of the soldier smiling in front of two blindfold men and posted by one of Abergil's friends read "That looks really sexy for you," with Abergil's response reading: "I wonder if he is on Facebook too – I'll have to tag him in the photo."
Because Abergil was discharged a year ago, the army has no power to prevent her from publicizing the photographs.
 |
Photo posted by a former IDF soldier on Facebook. |
The pictures have since been removed from the site - but not before being duplicated across the web by a variety of bloggers and news sites.
"I still don't understand what's wrong," Abergil told Army Radio on Thursday, saying that the "pictures were taken in good will, there was no statement in them."
The former IDF soldier said the pictures, which she said were of Gazans who had been arrested while attempting to crossover into Israel, were meant to depict a "military experience," and were not intended to injure the detainees.
During the Army Radio interview, Abergil repeatedly said that it had never occurred to her that "the picture would be problematic," asking interviewer Ilana Dayan whether the media asked for detainees permission when they film them.
Referring to the possibility that the images could injure Israel's image in the international arena, Abergil said: "We will always be attacked. Whatever we do, we will always be attacked."
On Monday, the IDF spokesman issued its response to the photographs, saying that "on the face of it the behavior exhibited by the soldier is base and crude."
The head of the Public Committee Against Torture, Ishai Menuchin, also commented, saying that "these terrible photographs reflect a norm in the way Palestinians are viewed, as an object and not as humans. It is an attitude that ignores their feelings as humans and their individual rights."
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
- Latest
- Most Viewed
- Most Rated
- Open all
That's the problem. You don't think humiliating Palestinians as a bad thing. Your governments also don't consider it as a bad thing to oppress civilians and put them in a siege. They don't think it's bad to bomb kids. That's the problem. It is wrong!
"This event is a clear proof that Israel is a rogue state and should be destriyed",or "Kill all Jews",this isn't antisemitic,yeah?
The myopia of this young soldier is typical, and the disregard of how the outside world views Israel is typical of Israelis, The disconnect with those that live around them is also typical. This behavior will destroy Israel from within before the Arabs or an Atom bomb from Iran will... :(.
Abergil is completely 100% correct, "We will always be attacked. Whatever we do, we will always be attacked."
while this is wrong, lets not over do the 'uproar' thing this is not an alqada video where we are cutting off their heads like a calf and posting it on the video and screaming ala akbar and islam is the religion of peace.
Standard response, deflect the blame by mentioning some other wrong. Al qaida is an evil terroristic organization run by a megalomaniac killer, the IDF has the same moral standing.
what a sick society!
and saddened by these photos, and this young girl's reaction to the uproar to them. they are, of course, awful; and to claim otherwise is to be wholly out of touch with reality. this is just one girl, though. that must be kept in mind. she is not speaking for the conscience of the nation. i find it funny that the world condemns israel when one girl shows a lack of judgement, but does exactly the opposite when a young muslim slaughters innocents in the name of justice and islam.
While I was a prisoner of IDF there were minimum 30 IDF soldiers with cameras and camcorders to make pictures. So this is not an individual habit, to me it looks like a special sport of uniformed people in Israel to photograph helpless detainees. ddeetaineedetaindeetainees people.
I will give you credit for stating the photos to be awful. However, they are not isolated and it is time for Israel to respond generously to the Palestinians. There are photographs aplenty of the Israeli Army demeaning Palestinian men, women and children. Mna
In the internet,one can claim to be anything he.she wants.
Criminals are in them
It seems to be okay for hamas or other terrorist orgs. but not for anyone else. Open your eyes world,
Hamas is considered a terrorist group and is treated as such.. Israel on the other hand is seen by the world as a democratic state that adheres to human rights law... so maybe Israel should actually play that part for a change, instead of making excuses by comparing itself to terrorist groups.
I just see some prisoners handcuffed and blindfolded, just as they might be in any country in the world. I see no mistreatment. I really don't understand what people find upsetting. Can you explain it to me?
Publishing photographs of military prisoners in captivity is a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention to which Israel IS a signatory. It is in poor taste and only reinforces the Arab refrain that "Palestinians are treated as animals by the evil Jooz." It shows a lack of judgment and humanity on the part of the former soldier and is something that is being used by Israel's detractors to place a blanket over all of Israeli society saying "look how terrible the Jews are" and "the Jews treat all Palestinians like this." It's harmful because we don't all do this. We are not all so crass, but it makes it easier for the enemy to generalize about us and propagandize.
Maybe what's wrong is the fact that the soldiers are enjoying treating the Palestinians as objects and not humans.
There are prisoners handcuffed and blindfolded while the soldier who arrested/captured them stands there smiling on a picture while smiling that she put up on her facebook page.
Yehadut, #98 Shirley explained to you what is wrong.
If you dont understand that Yehadut, there really is no way of explaining it to you. I feel compassion for you my friend, cause there is a spiritual law at work here - what ever we judge we must walk thru. The same spiritual law is sometimes refferd to as "as we sow, so shall we reap". There is no escape from this law, so one day you will know by experience.
Try Article 13 of the Third Geneva Convention. It states in part: "...prisoners of war must at all times be protected, particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity."
A shame on us and what has become of us, the Jewish people, the Israelis. Are we educating our children, our soldiers, to lose their compassion and humanity?
Shirley- what exactly are you talking about??? Faced with what our people, and nation must deal with on a daily basis you are saying we are losing our compassion and humanity?????? What planet are you on? this is a stupid move by a child. THat is it. It is a move that harms noone other than our PR campaign *(which will do nothing, because people will never stop hating us). Once you begin to see the impossible standard that we are held to, you will begin to understand that This is plain stupidity that is being examined under an electron microscope. We are still the most compassionate and humane of any people in existence. Dont begin to bash our people and claim shame for us. Nothing to be ashamed of. We cant be everything for everyone.
that people fail to see the abuse in posting these photos is worse then the photos in itself. it has nothing to do with what Israeli face or not - but if you want to be compared with the conduct of Hamas so be it.
seen much worse 40 years ago.today we may see it.
Israel, you are destroying yourself through this occupation. Your young people are monsters, and they are your future. This is the result of your occupation and humiliation to Palestina. Free them before all of you become like this girl, and you destroy your self.
... Haaretz for your work and thanks to (most of) the commentators. From outside it looks as if Israel is going more and more insane and paranoid. I'm glad to see that there are at least some reasonable people left.
Note that the IDF response indicates the photos themselves are the problem, and seeks merely to prevent such embarrasment in the future by preventing photos from being taken. The real problem - the routine violations the photos document - is not seen by the IDF as a problem. Only the bad publicity from the photos documenting their behaviour. So of course this girl sees nothing wrong with what she did. She has absorbed the lessons from her superiors, her friends, her neighbors, the leaders of the country... all agree that our palestinian brethren are subhuman and not only may but should be treated as animals. Given that why the big deal about pictures showing this?
Over the years I have watched the Palestinians rejoice at the deaths they commit, but the world doesn't seem to get upset. This woman posts a few innocent pictures and all the apologists start whining. Throw them in jail also.
absolutely normal by all means in a society that de-humanize Palestinians. what's the fuss??
It doesn't matter how she felt about the arab occupants..she was a soldier and soldiers should have dignity. She can feel how she wants about the men but should have behaved with restraint, dignity and honor. This was an example of a bad soldier not standing guard as her job seemed to have been...
i am a traditionally religious jew teaching my children not to hate but to do acts of kindness always. I never had a bad experience with an arab or palestinian because i treat them with respect and they do the same to me. these photos are disgusting to say the least. she should be court martialled. sorry cousins.
....nothing needs to be added to your post.
Victor, thank you for your comments. I am sure that you are speaking for many Israelis and you are certainly speaking for myself and my family! I just saw a TV interview with this young woman who appears to be very stupid and completely unaware of her disgusting and insensitive behaviour.
I guess, now, that if Hamas wants to put humiliating pictures of Shalit on Facebook, that's okay? He too is a prisoner of war and is entitled to be treated with dignity - just like the Palestinians.
Of course we would object. Hamas and Hezbulla had taken many israeli prisinors so far. And you would NEVER see any pictures like these taken for them. I do not necessarily agree with their policies, but I know that the ideology they stem from will definitely prohibit them from doing so. And that's why one will never see this happen..
We did not astonished these pictures.Repeatedly we monitor israel is loosing humanism everday and now they are beyond of Adolf Hitler.If we llok at the pictures silly girl is taking photo with arrested civil man.I am sure she is prod for it.Of course i am sure Allah(God) is preparing own army for Israel like Adolf Hitler ,Japan,Mousolini end.
As a reporter for Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung I was on board of the greek ship "Eleftheri Mesogeios" (Gaza Flotilla) - together with two colleagues from Athens and Brussels. The whole time from our kidnapping in international waters on May 31st via Ashdod to Beersheva prison we have been photographed and filmed by IDF soldiers - against our protests. Especially the young female soldier Nr 23 of the Shayetet Unit was very busy in collecting for her home video evening.
Stupid child...makes you wonder what sort of moral upbringing she had.
It's almost impossible to believe that she does not get what the fuss is all about. Can you really be that ignorant?
Israel is so selfcentered that it don't see what most of other see. This particular only demonstrate it again: -That girl doesn't see what that was she did was wrong. In the same way that the govermenent and the IDF fails to see what was wrong with Turkish Flotilla assault. Ashkenazi future recommendations are better intelligence and snipers They fail to see that the problem is actually the fact that people died. Even some Turks were violent and some may have wanted to die, no one should have died. The army vision is: they looked for problems, we were in danger so we killed them.
Show me your condemnation please. Show me your tears over killing of five month old Yehuda Shoham killed by a stone thrower or Yehoshua Weisbrod who was stoned to death by an Arab mob in Rafiah.Palestinians are not angels and there is no doubt that their brutality,sadism and lust for Jewish blood marked some Israelis more than others as we can see here.What do they expect for their bestiality and killing of Israeli civilians? A big wet kiss?
Justifying the unjustifiable because someone else has done worse things. Amuses me that you believe that Israel is better than Iran where demonstrators were photographed blindfolded and handcuffed after the elections. Highly amusing, and very disturbing that you to find nothing wrong with the photographs. Do you have your own little photo album perchance? Just not as stupid as Eden to post it on facebook?
"very disturbing that you find nothing wrong with the photographs" - where did he say that? Reading comprehension is a valuable skill.
First two words of the title, Inoffensive pictures.
Criticizing these pictures does not in any way imply support for other events or pictures. You are simply displaying a knee-jerk defensive reaction typical of both sides in any Israel-Palestine argument. As for your description of Palestinians..I'm not even going to get into the brutal history behind the state of Israel. Trading examples is not the point, nor does it get us anywhere. The point here is the existence and casual display of these photos mark a disturbing mental position towards human detainees, exacerbated by the fact that Eden has neither apologized nor shown any remorse for her actions.
It's offcourse disgusting and annoying to see such images but get real. Israel is ruling over the once defeated people of Palestine. And i do not expect any moral behavior from an occupant towards the defeated. Israel is just another "winner" and Palestinians are "loser". Just like the other similar examples in history. Some may think international community expects a higher moral values from Israeli due to their long suffering list while they were being as an oppressed minority in history but thing can change when you are majority and especially when you hold the power within your hands. Israel and Israeli people or the IDF has no special place in this perspective. U.S did far worst things in Vietnam and Iraq...
"Whatever we do, we will always be attacked."
I work my ass of on my pro-Israel blog only to see my years work go down the drain by such dumb ass idiots like she is
are you bothered by her actions or only the fact she posted them?
should concern all Israelis. But it won't as the Palestinians have been dehumanised by Israeli society as it makes it easier to kill their children.
And in the process Israel dehumanises itself , that is the lesson from History That this girl sees nothing wrong is indicitave of how far Israeli society has sunk, how racism and hatred is the norm and how putrid Israel is
She should be punished in a punishing manner, with the look ! Maybe she'll understand why....( which I doubt due to her limited reflexive capacity )
either we uphold true jewish values or it is finished. what does this humiliation do for us? it is totally unethical and against jewish values what she did. send her to prison for a while as well as 65% of the nation
See your jewish value, although you seem to be a decent person, we will never forget what your nation have done to us....keep in mind it was only 60 years ago you were hunted and you never forgot....WE shall also never forget in the next 60 years what you did to us.
commuiniction
If there is nothing wrong with the pictures of Palestinians bound and blindfolded - why is the IDF soldier's face garbled out. ?
Since Operation Cast Lead where human rights oorganisations have begun to identify individual soldiers and issue arrests warrants it is standard procedure in Israel to cendsor photos of the Israeli military. The Washington Post has uncensored photos as does Al Jazeera if you really want to see her. Particularly the one where she is facing the Palestinian detainee. Which shows the true nature of her bestial behaviour.
I see that the photos on other web site are not pixelated - It seems a waste of time for the Israeli papers to pixelate her. It seems from looking at the response that there is a certain amount of Israeli pride in her posture and stance.
notice what Israeali soldiers do with innocent civilean palestineans (victems) , I think this stupid girl is growing TERROR IN THE AREA AND SOONER OR LATER SHE WILL GET THE RESULTS
notice what Israeali soldiers do with innocent civilean palestineans (victems) , I think this stupid girl is growing TERROR IN THE AREA AND SOONER OR LATER SHE WILL GET THE RESULTS
This story is making the rounds world wide. Interesting development.
Destroy the Jews!
If that is your real name. You are then no different from the fat killer whale in uniform.
i'd be ashamed of my daughter for this.
I doubt her parents and community are ashamed, considering they brought her up!
They helped the Faraos to grab the land of the people and latter got persecuted. They helped the Romans to kill the Poor Christian folks and got persecuted. They are torturing the poor Arabs and I would like to see them getting persecuted again.
Eden Abergil claims she didn't do anything wrong. Well that is the real problem. For her, humiliating palestinians is something normal and that I am sure is carried out daily by her fellow soldiers...A regular occurrence! Eden Abergil, you definitely don't look sexy..and try to lose some weight for God sake. You look like a killer whale about to pounce on some blindfolded seals.
Israel and half the world hate each other, so psychologically they are all in war with each other. It is immoral to do what she is doing, but this is what enemies do to each other. She had the "Best time of her life" in the IDF because she got to abuse Arabs, Arabs would have done the same to Israelis if the situation was the vice versa.
Then why aren't there pictures of gloating Palestinians in demeaning photographs of Gilad Shalit all over facebook? The Israeli's will bring about their own demise because they simply seem incapable of realizing how wrong they are. They have gotten away with far too much for far too long.
In 1967, a few weeks after the Six-Day War, Judt volunteered as a translator for the Israel Defense Forces on the Golan Heights. He was surprised to find that many of the young Israeli officers he worked with were "right-wing thugs with anti-Arab views"; others, he says, "were just dumb idiots with guns." Israel, he came to believe, "had turned from a sort of narrow-minded pioneer society into a rather smug, superior, conquering society." http://chronicle.com/article/The-Trials-of-Tony-Judt/63449/
This is a non issue. No one cares about it. Let's talk about something important like Middle East peace.
It is exactly this mentality that allows Israeli's to take land that does not belong to them from people who don't deserve basic human rights. Thats the fuss.
And Abergil goes on to defend herself with Israel's defense strategy number one: Huuu, buuu, bahhh, uuuu - everybody is anti-semitic, buuh, bluuh, blaaaah, anti-semitism, buuu, bla, bla, bla...
'I don't see anything wrong with Facebook images of Palestinian detainees' the result of "the best time of your life" is to get blind!!!
I recall outrageous reports by our TV channels from suicide bombing sites (with demonstarting of flesh pieces found at the very moment of the reportage), their picturing everything and everyone what they wish - and reject any accusations agains that former soldier. And the last person to bring such accusations is Ilana Dayan herself - after forged movie about a "soldier killing a Palestinian girl" which she composed. Fortunately she was convicted of that forgery (don't know whether she paid the fine or evaded that), and I would expect that whe were barred from Army Radio. Is seems that nepotism (her relation to famous Dayan family) overrode the logic and moral norms in this case...
This young lady was only doing her duty, following orders. There is nothing wrong in publicising what she did - her service to her country is something she is told to be proud of, this is part of that service, so what did she do wrong?
of course,95% chance,there could be other ways of handling this.somewhat less expedite.eden herself is a product,not an innovator or instigator.
Civilisation is falling in an ever increasing rate in Israel. I remember my abhorronce once when seeing pictures in a newspaper of dancing, smiling and cheering Pals gathered around the bodies of (I think two) Israeli soldiers who were killed by a mob shortly before that. According to her sense of morality and ethics one could wonder why I feel abhorrence when I see pictures of dead soldiers in a newspaper. After all, there are always wars going on somewhere in this world and there were and always will be pictures of these wars in newspapers on a (ir)regular basis, including dead soldiers. Her pictures do injure Israel's image in the world but her reaction is far more disturbing and telling. It does not really matter whether she is truly not aware it is all about her way of showing herself in disgusting poses in those pictures or whether that is merely her gotspe to tell on army radio the pictures are just pictures of Pals in custody waiting for interrogation. It is evidence of a sick mind either way.
its more than stupid to do a picture like that.they are so stupid that they shouldnt be in the army,SHAME on them
on facebook with Shani Cohen which was full of sexual innuendo. Showing just how dehumanising the occupation has become.
How vapid and foolish Facebook users are.
it would be a good idea to have all idf personal tested for brain abnormalities, how this idiot still says, WHAT did i do wrong??? is just to silly for words, if she cannot see what was wrong, than all i can say is ,if there is one, God help Israel as the Israelies cannot help the country,boy, oh boy, this is just incredible.joseph theeboom
How could such a brainless woman be incorporated in the IDF?
Had she awareness and conscience she would have questioned the legality, not to mention the morality, of what she was told to do.
In the UK we can see her non pixilated and ugly face.
I am an austrian jew victim of nazism. I think that the fact of stealing a country and denying any right to victims, has driven Israel to be an immoral, fanatical and racist society. I also think that this a situation which predicts a very bad future for yourselves.
If you don't have a problem with what you are seeing,,,Why did you guys blurred the face? I don't get it. well if no one see's a problem with it here it is...Unblurred http://i33.tinypic.com/2lkp6j7.jpg
I only see some people supposed to Arabs, could it be arranged pictures?
Very disappointing behaviour from the soldier. She's outside the army now so can't be punished, but she deserves a clip around the ear and her employment propspects will suffer. I still think this isn't sufficient for that behaviour. However, I take issue with all those clowns who use this as evidence against the IDF and the country as a whole. All armies have their share of idiots, but it's a question of whether this is the ethos iof the army as a whole or the stupid behaviour of the kids. Having lived in the country and met many, many soldiers of different backgrounds and political views, it is the latter.
Is that Eden Abergil doesn't realise what she has done is wrong. Surely the whole situation could have been prevented with a general order stating quite clearly that taking unofficial photos of prisoners held by you is illegal under International Law?
And how come no other soldier reacted when she took these pics?
I believe they train them in morals, they have their rabbis in service, but unfortunately its not true jewish values or morals we are accustomed to.
People like you puts in risk the credibility of the Israelis and of all the Jews. You were there for our security not for your "fun".... and what kind of person are you that can laught & get fun from a person in that condition? think about it, perhaps you can find an answer to your self, and be a better person, that you are NOT right now.
Just a girlish idea with her camera to remind her of her 'Army days'. What's wrong with that ?
bondage and stuff like that, huh ? :)
http://www.svd.se/nyheter/utrikes/ex-soldats-bilder-vacker-ilska_5145165.svd
Doesn't exist...any time someone disagrees with a Jew they get labelled as an anti-semite...load of crap...Learn a lesson Crystal, people are allowed to disagree with you...labelling them racist when they do just shows up who the real racists are...if you can't see anything wrong with these pictures then that is a real sad reflection on what Israeli people are truly like.
and she boasts of them, also. Well, I do believe that most of Israeli aren't so thoughtless. Enemies, yes; animals, no.
I advise you to visist a doctor . You are totally sick. Ah, you are one of the most moral army in the world? I see!
Look it up. Israel's army is very immoral. But it is the most moral army in the world (have you seen the pictures from US prison in Iraq? Noticed the difference?).
A stupid girl just put some stupid pictures is just one case and not enough to come to a conclusion that all israeli soldiers or israel is the same, and many comments smell anti-semitic. For me, what i have seen during the Cast Lead campaign was enough to judge the inhuman way of the israeli army. The flotilla attack on international waters and killing 9 people was souce on it. I dont need more..
but your own comment that "what i have seen during the Cast Lead campaign was enough to judge the inhuman way of the israeli army",which contradicts your earlier "A stupid girl just put some stupid pictures is just one case and not enough to come to a conclusion that all israeli soldiers or israel is the same" isn't antisemitic,yeah?
Sorry, my friend, but your comments seem anti-Semitic to me. While Turkey can gas the Kurds, Israel cannot defned itself from thousands of Gaza based rockets and infiltrators from the sea bringing in large weapons? Get real!
She should Imagine Gilat Shalit appearing on Face Book with grinning kidnapers who make stupid remarks , maybe then she will understand why the majority of the Israeli public are disgusted !
But not nearly as disgusting as an Israeli soldier held in solitary confinement for more than four years - and with no end in sight
...or all the Palestinians held in 'indefinite detention' by Israel?
with regular visits from their relatives,with medical checks,even with opportunities to follow studies... ...as opposed to one simple prisoner held in total isolation and with no visits even by the International Red Cross
If doing it is acceptable thenwhy a photograph isn't?
Really, Eden? Nothing wrong? Wake up. You say theres nothing wrong with the pictures. I say theres nothing, really nothing, RIGHT about them. Just like theres nothing right with illegally occupying and settling on another nations land, constantly violating international law by killing civilians in Gaza or activists on a ship in international waters. You uploading these pictures and posing next to the detainees in a way that makes one wonder what extremee twisted fetishes you and your friends may have --- is nothing but a crystal clear example of how the israeli public rethoric has succeeded in making large parts of the israeli people believe that a long past history of being victims- now makes you entitled to do whatever you want, to whom ever you want. And replying to the critisism by saying "whatever we do we will always be attacked" just proves how entirely brainwashed you must be to believe that the way you see youself and "your people" as more valuable than others. Haaretz: why provide Eden with the privilige of censoring her face, when she her self put these pictures out on the web so everyone could see what a great time she had in the army? Crystal: antisemitism? Why cant people open their eyes and see that critizising a state and the part of its people who advocate the kind of beliefs that Edens photos reflect -- is NOT being anti-semitic.
Sorry, but I realy hope that justice be served to the palestinians and that israel gets its revenge
What makes this even more horrific is these are pictures of Gazan workers who tried to escape the blockaded open air prison called Gaza to look for a day's work in Israel to feed their families. I am sure some Nazi soldier said something similar to this: "I still don't understand what's wrong," Abergil told Army Radio on Thursday, saying that the "pictures were taken in good will, there was no statement in them."
Crime against humanity she should be held accountable and face persecuation and be made to pay compensation for the victims and apologise to the whole human race. It makes me sick what an unattractive woman.
i just wondering when they will discover themselves, very sarcastic and racist,
i just wondering when they will discover themselves, very sarcastic and racist,
The mere fact that this ex-IDF solider considers this behaviour reasonable, is a reflection of her desensitised behaviour towards the Palestinians. Is this a reflection of what Israelis feel about Palestinians? How would she feel, if she was blind folded and handcuffed and someone was smiling at her whilst been held?
You think it would have been ok for a Hamas member to blind fold him and take a picture with him. I am sure the reaction might be a bit different!
Sara, if some Hamas thug were stupid enough to upload a geotagged photo of Gilad Shalit to Facebook I would welcome it. That would give intel services a precise time and place for the photo. As for photos, Hamas HAS provided photos. Not for laughs, but for proof they still have their hostage.
if we see you bound and blindfolded standing behind a smiling Palestinian Maybe you wont be so arrogant then
Her face is not pixellated out in overseas media, so a waste of time doing it in Haaretz! Her facial expressions and body language will be seized upon by critics of IDF and Israel in general..can she really be so stupid?
... maybe her insensitivity is the root of her problem, since she sees nothing exceptional in her deed...
what is happening in reality is far worse, few gazans elderly strpped out of their freedom and dignity means nothing to this little brat.
When one thinks that there is absolutly no possibility for Israel to sink any further....Ta Ta!!! Marcheiren gegen Palestine, gegen Palestine!!
she should have said; "we're spoiled and can get away with whatever we do".
Just another example of how Israelis have become dehumanized by their war. This will destroy Israel.
This is disgusting behaviour from a disgusting looking person i am sorry to say, once again the true side of the IDF is revealed.
If the international media would spend half the time and space they spend on Israel bashing denouncing the relentless antisemitic campaign in the Arab and Muslim media maybe western public opinion would have a better understanding of who are the real bad guys in the Middle East
She is not able to understand what was wrong with the pictures in the same way as many Israelis are not able to understand what was wrong with killing of 9 activists in the international waters or bombing of Gaza.
people like that are the reason why the world is they way it is..
Just the fact that this girl finds nothing wrong with these pictures shows how deep the moral damage is to Israeli society by this ongoing conflict.
Cut all relations with them because any contact seems to humiliate them.
Looks like they already have!
Do you seriously mean that this is "any contact"? Like if it was just an ordinary meeting between two people? I hope most of the Israelis in IDF understand how much this harms the image of IDF and in the end Israel. Don't defend unjustified actions just because they are made by an Israeli!
Imagine the nationwide condemnations and anger from israel, and the global condemnations and anger from Jewish communities. There would be talk of war crimes, there would demands for an offensive into Gaza. OK, the IDF PR department has condemned this, because omebody in there still realises how bad it looks. The trouble is, from reading Haaretz, I stringly suspect that this kind of attitude to Pals and treatment of them is commonplace. The IDF soldier in question here, geneuinely doesn't know what she's done wrong. That's what's really scary. Also scary is the way she instantly falls back on the victimhoo and anti-semitism as a defence 'They'll criticise us whatever we do.' I wonder if Abergil is in charge of Israel's entire military and diplomatic strategy, because her strange mix of attitudes seems entirely characteristic of it.
They couldn't be so cruel, could they?
Horrbile, isn't it? To make people sit on uncomfortable concrete block with hands cuffed and eyes blindfolded while someone adjacent to you has a picture taken! Oh the inhumanity! The war crimes! The international law! The comparisons to Abu Ghraib!
'Imagine the nationwide condemnations and anger from israel, and the global condemnations and anger from Jewish communities'- Is that a joke? Has there EVER been global condemnation about ANYTHING the arabs do to Israel? Shalit?-too bad, but he was AT the border! Lebanon-too bad, but they shouldn't have been pruning trees, Qussams-too bad but they are no lethal. Compare this with anything Israel does, even if it's by a silly girl.
That basically sums it up.
your post gives all the responsibility to this girl calling her stupid. don't you think that the education she received is more responsible? So "stupid education we gave to this girl." sums it up better.
Not true I see many as murders and thugs. Cheers,
True, they had to retaliate in kind.
On January 11, 1961, Moshe Sharett wrote in his diary: The phenomenon that has prevailed among us for years and years is that of insensitivity to acts of wrong ... to moral corruption.... For us, an act of wrong is in itself nothing serious, we wake up to it only if the threat of a crisis or a grave result the loss of a position, the loss of power or influence is involved. We don't have a moral approach to moral problems but a pragmatic approach to moral problems. . . . Once, Israeli soldiers murdered a number of Arabs for reasons of blind revenge ... and no conclusion was drawn from that, no one was demoted, no one was removed from office. Then there was Kafr Qasim* . . . those responsible have not drawn any conclusions. This, however, does not mean that public opinion, the army, the police, have drawn no conclusion, their conclusion was that Arab blood can be freely shed. And then came the amnesty for those of Kafr Qasim, and some conclusions could be drawn again, and I could go on like this. (11 January 1961, 769) All this must bring about revulsion in the sense of justice and honesty in public opinion; it must make the State appear in the eyes of the world as a savage state that does not recognize the principles of justice as they have been established and accepted by contemporary society. http://chss.montclair.edu/english/furr/essays/rokach.html
Most of them are freedom fighters
A disgrace.
"this photo was taken by the zionist soldier and posted into facebook. In this case she as member of IDF (Israeli Defeated Forces) suggesting something to him, but acording to report she was refused by the Palestinian prisioner as we r in Ramadan."
...(not supposed too do that in Ramadan) - you bet she is trying to help the guy to avoid temptations in Ramadan ! Shouldn´t she have a medal for that ? :)
Firstly IDF is not 'Israel Defeated Forces' because Israelis have WON every war the Arabs have waged upon her sincd 1948, neither has Ramadan anything to do with being 'kind' to the Jews....This is nothing but a 'storm in a teacup.'..........
I'm very sure he would refuse her, even if it was NOT Ramadan.
This people are so out of touch with reality and have to such point lost any capability of empathy with Palestinians that they "don't find it problematic" to pose in a picture making cute faces in front of elderly hand-bound Palestinians, and posting it as if this was some kind of memorable moment, like a hunter posing with her prize. Dehumanization of the adversary is the first step to genocide.
ok
And with all the comparisons to Abu Ghraib. So young to be such a sadist. Even Lynndie England had a photographer. She was not along. And she had tolerant superiors. Not all the pics have been found.
Spent most of yesterday making the IDF censor choke on his bagel posting links of Eden Abergil disgusting behaviour as they appeared all over the internet.. Amusing me that Haaretz insist in pixellating the pictures when uncensored pictures are on Al Jazeera's website, her name is known and she lives in Ashdod. Must be some form of censorship that IDF soldiers can't be identified on Israeli media in case there are war crimes trials I suppose.
got another joke?
It might not be procedure, and is indeed inappropriate. But to call it immoral is well, ignorant.
What a stupid, insensitive young woman Abergil is!! It's too bad she can't be punished in some way. Her ignorance does not however, represent the majority of Israelis. What a shame she is!
from her FB-profile ? Why doesn´t she expand the collection and try to spread it more extensively ??? Isn´t logical to me.
the sad state of the IDF & Israeli society in general
And if she did, it was after learning that the pictures were offensive to some people. There are those of us, who, even if we think there is nothing wrong with our actions, will restrain ourselves if we learn that they harm others. This is not always the case, but many Israelis will not harm others just over a matter of principle.
...is the one where people still think life is Sababa. The army is serious business, so WAKE UP and start acting professionally, and above all, intelligently again!
The article states that the photos were removed from facebook, not by her necessarily. They could have been removed by moderators. Thus making more sense.
pics if they are on a private page. What they can do is to remove that person and/or page completely
...whoever could imagine the fascist-girl to have second thoughts about her behaviour or any kind of remorse. After all she belongs to "the chosen people" and has carte blanche and divine acceptance to do whatever she might find good and right. Anybody who dares to contest her behaviour is an antisemitic neonazi and personally responsible for the Holocaust, the Hebron Masscre in 1929 and also 9/11 until seven generations coming - no ?
Where do you think that data is stored? p.s. Facebook is not a very secure service.
How do YOU know this is perfectly normal in Israel. Do you live there? Do you know Israelis? Well, I do, I and I can tell you that everyone I know is repulsed by this girl's stupidity and insensitivity.
Unfortunate that an Israeli soldier posted photos of herself with blindfolded Palestinian prisoners. At least they weren't naked or being tortured like the ones we saw from US soldiers in Iraq. What's even uglier are the comments in articles about this event. Vicious, anti-semetic rhetoric is now officially mainstream in America under the anonymity of a Yahoo! user name. And yes, they're not all anti-Israel, many are just blatant anti-semitism.
That´s israeli colonial logic for you. So just because there are no picts of humilated tortured palestinans it´s "not soo bad" right? But Israel do torture palestinans daily! And then ofcourse the best defense is OFFENSE > buu buu buu it´s anti-semtism when people just can´t understand that we have to torture, humiliate and hate the palestinians!! bu bu how ever can we take everything that is theirs without making them less human? Israel should NEVER be judged, condemd or given a proportionated response since they are the exception when it comes to International law, human rights, moral, racism and hatred.
The problem is that many time the press around the world is just a bad or police with perp walks for the cameras. Yes, there maybe anti-Israel or anti-semitics out there to try and use this but that is another issue.
Is critism of blatant violations of the Genevaconvention anti semitic? Nobody has the rigth to humiliate prisoners, not even a former member of the most moral army in the world!
Is critism of blatant violations of the Genevaconvention anti semitic? Nobody has the rigth to humiliate prisoners, not even a former member of the most moral army in the world!
Going by your logic. It would ONLY be unfortunate if a woman got raped. I mean, she could of been killed! So lucky her. Again with the Anti-Semitic card... Get creative.
Three thumbs up and fifteen down, and for what? For making an observation that is clear to everyone. Ha'aretz isn't an Israeli newspaper for Israelis, its an Israeli newspapers for those that want to see an end to Israelis, those that have dehumanized Israelis, those that make no effort to understand circumstance or intent. Those who's only desire is to see the Israel transformed into the next member of the Organization of Islamic Conferences.
Instead of believing the wolrd is against you because of your religon when are you going to realise that it is because of your actions. The feeling outside of Israel is that you treat the Palestinians worse than animals, the pictures and the more so the "whats the big deal"attitude further reinforce this.
people are anti-semetic for a reason, it seems that this sort of thing keeps popping up on the news, people who were not anti-semetic are now. So there you go, this behaviour is wrong it is bad, distgusting, if i was from israel i would be ashamed.
Your comments are utterly typical and completely clueless about the reality of the world's perception of Israelis. I am not anonymous. I understand the Geneva Conventions, international law, and democracy. It seems that most Israelis understand nothing.
antisemitic and anti-Israeli. Furthermore, there might be a number of "us" that do accept the existence of Israel but do not accept atrocities directed on the minority-population of Israel and on the WB. So that should be clear. The uproar around the ex-soldier is mainly her attitude. The persons on her pictures are pictured to be less worth than humans. That is not acceptable in a democratic society. What the US did in Iraq has nothing to do with this case. The atrocities of the Taliban in Afghanistan has nothing to do with this matter. Try to stick to the subject: youth in Israel might have a tendency to dehumanify non-Jews. The effect of constant theoretical dehumanification leads to inhuman actions, like this one.
"at least they aren't naked ....", no, so they're only half animals. The fact they don't have a problem with these photos shows why some Israelis are becoming the pariah of the world.
Out comes the old anti-semitic calling card. Lucky for her she has it to hide behind. Anyone else would just have to face the music....
LOL. we've all seen what passes for "anti-semitism" for, apparently and sadly, most jews
Will Israelis and the IDF exprss their disgust as much as the Americans did, or is this behaviour acceptable in Israeli society and the IDF?
Which comment was anti semitic??? Just because people are against Palestinians being treated like DOGS does not mean they are anti semitic............ What if this was your brother / father in the pictures what would you say then??? Shame on you Crystal.
Which comment was anti semitic??? Just because people are against Palestinians being treated like DOGS does not mean they are anti semitic............ What if this was your brother / father in the pictures what would you say then??? Shame on you Crystal.
If laying it on the line about what that sicko is all about reflects an anti-Semitic streak then I'm proud to be so.
We are really tired of the anti-Semitism rhetoric. Whenever someone is criticizing the state of Israel of someone in Israel, you scream anti-Semitism. These stupid tactics ain't working any more. What about the raging racism against Arabs or Muslims. It is also anti-Semitism. Semite people originate from the Middle East and it includes Arabs as well as Jews, so get your facts right. Ultimately, when you do something wrong we will criticize, that's democracy!!!
And here we go again with the ever present anti-semit club. Read Finkelstein's book and you know is part of the cheme
The first post here and immediately you choose to use the anti semitism card coupled with there are people who are more badly behaved than we are and they don't get imprisoned for a year even though they are pregnant do they defence. In fact Lindsey England's superiors have either been sacked, or are themselves in prison. Lindsey England served a year at Leavenworth. Doubt that that will happen in this case do you?
"But Israel do torture palestinans daily!" Oh yea, is that right before they line them and send them to the gas chambers? Looks like you've got your head way too deep up the ass of Haaretz propoganda.
Looks like Maria's been hanging too much at starbucks. In war, when palestinian children are sent to murder Israeli children and palestinians openly call for the murder of Jews, Israel protects itself. Just like every other nation in the world. Get over it.
What has these pictures to do with defending Israel? Nothing! It harms the image of Israel. If you're defending these pictures and this behaviour then you're no friend of Israel. Then you're an enemy of Israel!
So now it is alright to torture Palestinians because they are not taken to the gas chambers afterwards? Appears to me you are not aware of the true situation in the occupied territories, nor are you capable of empathy to the Palestinian people. Are you Eden's or Shavi Cohen's mum?
So now it is alright to torture Palestinians because they are not taken to the gas chambers afterwards? Appears to me you are not aware of the true situation in the occupied territories, nor are you capable of empathy to the Palestinian people. Are you Eden's or Shavi Cohen's mum?
Ya the 100 to 1 kill to death ratio in Operation Cast Lead was self defense too.....RIIIIIIIIGHHHHT. Israel has the longest track record of war crimes since it's birth. Free the Palestinians!