When I was Eden Abergil
The occupation did not transform us into law-breaking criminals, it only taught us that it's best to be on the stronger side.
By Aluf BennThe photographs of the female soldier Eden Abergil on Facebook with the young, bound Palestinians did not "shock" me, as did the automatic responses of people on the left who complained, as usual, about the corrupting occupation and our moral deterioration. Instead, the photos brought back memories from my military service. Once, I was also Eden Abergil: I served in a Military Police unit in Lebanon whose mission was to take prisoners from the Shin Bet's interrogation rooms to the large holding camp of Ansar. I covered many eyes with pieces of cloth, I bound many wrists with plastic cuffs.
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Photo posted by a former IDF soldier on Facebook. |
I never knew who the prisoners were and what they had done wrong, and I was not trained to know how to treat them. Everything was improvised. They showed me how to cuff them, apply the piece of cloth and load them onto army vehicles. And off we went. Very quickly I learned four words in Arabic that soldiers used when handling the prisoners: aud (sit ), um (stand ), yidak (put your hands out ) and uskut (quiet ). In the basement for Shin Bet interrogations at Nabatieh, in an old tobacco factory that had been transformed into the regional division headquarters, I saw prisoners eating like dogs, bent over with their hands tied behind their backs. And I smelled their sweat and urine.
I never saw "irregularities." No beatings, no slappings, no maimings. But if the cuffs were put on a bit too tight, half a centimeter that couldn't be reversed, the prisoner suffered great pain. The palms swelled because blood flow was restricted, and the trip became a nightmare when the prisoners begin to beg: "Captain, captain, idi, idi [my hands]." There were soldiers who tied the cuffs on too tight - a small torture that's not in the reports by Amnesty International or the Goldstone Commission. It's a torture that depends on a single soldier, without instructions from above or the military advocate general. An outlet for the hatred of Arabs during a routine mission.
And there were the humiliations. We did not force the prisoners to sing "Ana bahebak Mishmar Hagvul" ("I love you Border Police" ), as in the territories. The big hit back then was "Yaish Begin, mat Arafat" ("Long live Begin, Arafat is dead" ). In retrospect, it's not certain that our Lebanese prisoners were opposed to Arafat's removal; they may have even identified with that part of the song.
I once performed a leftist act of courage. I was guarding a truck full of prisoners who were waiting in the sun to be processed at Ansar. Suddenly a reservist thug showed up, with sneakers and no shirt on, and wanted to get on the truck and beat the prisoners. I refused to let him on. He made a threatening move. I had no chance against him one on one. I cocked my weapon, he took a step back and, enraged, said: "It's because of people like you that the country is in the state it is."
There was nothing special in my experience or in the photographs of Eden Abergil. Tens of thousands of soldiers who served in the territories and Lebanon, like Eden and me, were exposed to similar experiences. This is the routine of occupation: pieces of cloth, cuffs, sweat in the sun, aud, um, yidak, uskut. That's the way it has been for 43 years. When 18-year-old soldiers with weapons guard civilians with their hands and eyes bound, and see the prisoners lying in pools of urine in the interrogation basements, the situation is violent and humiliating without diverging from orders or regulations.
The occupation did not "corrupt" me or any of my colleagues in the unit. We didn't return home and run wild in the streets and abuse helpless people. Coming-of-age problems preoccupied us a lot more than our prisoners' discomfort. Our political views were also not affected. Anyone who hated Arabs at home hated them when he was defeated and weak in the army, and those who read Uri Avnery before being drafted believed that it was necessary to leave Lebanon and the territories even when they actively took part in the occupation.
But we learned one lesson: Regardless of politics, it's better to be the guard than the prisoner. Even those who dream of a permanent settlement and a Palestinian state and want to see the settlements gone prefer to tie on the cuffs than be cuffed. It's better to guard the prisoner and eat at the mess hall than to eat on your knees with your hands tied behind your back in a smelly room. The occupation did not transform us into law-breaking criminals, it only taught us that it's best to be on the stronger side.
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Occupation corrupts all. A culture of hatred from Hamas to Likud poisons the heart. To treat the elderly, women and often children as if they were rabid dogs is a disgrace. I used to be proud of Israel before I read about the daily humiliation visited on the Palestinians by normally nice Israeli's. Imagine urinating where you sit and worse. I am glad the writer stopped a beating but we Jews rightly condemn the excuse if following orders. I cannot support this. I will not excuse assassinations, beatings, near torture by Iarael and only condemn Hamas. Hamas are just like the Irgun who threw grenades into the homes of sleeping Arabs but later helped form the IDF and of course the Likud. I despair of Israel and detest Hamas and know no good can come from humiliating Palestinians.
Aluf Benn's 'honest' mea culpa explains his ,by now, all to clear worldview. He has always supported brawn over brain approach towards the Palestinians. He never entetained the option, that once the occupation is terminated, there will not be any need to hold thousands of prisoners, mostly without reason, and illegally, and subject them to inhuman treatment. Benn's IDF experience perhaps has not turn him into a brutal thug,, but it surely made him immune to brutal thuggery.
Whats the difference between Alufs attitude and that of Nazi gourds "processing prisoners" during world war II?
Whats the difference between Alufs attitude and that of Nazi gourds "processing prisoners" during world war II?
let's see what's the difference: how about gas chambers and genocide. I'm absolutely certain that 99.9999% of the Arab's Aluf Benn oversaw prior to or after interogation were eventually released and lived normal lives. That compares rather favorably to the 6 million Jews (plus gypsies, gays, etc...) gassed and murdered by the Nazis. Rather different don't you think?
Israeli actions have created much of the hate that is generated against it.
Palestinian hatred of Jews predates all of this. What was their excuse when they massacred the Jews of Hebron in 1929 or tried to annihilate Israel in 1948?
"That's the way it has been for 43 years." And you say it's not corrupting? Absolutely shocking! I read your pieces on a consistent basis and have always looked forward to doing so. But I can't reconcile your article with what any sense of decency. What's your point about being able to return home and not run wild in the street? That absolves one of his sins? The corruption is that Palestinians are treated as animals. And by the way, if you don't think the corruption extends to the civilian society in Israel, just read your column today. Take a look at the Israel civilian society today. I can only conclude that this piece was a failed attempt at parody.
So this is what the army taught you..what a wastwe. I thought that the centuries of humiliation and persecution of the Jews taught you to be strong, thinking only of your own slavation, and not the other way around...power teach you to be more powerful. This is nothing but the arrogance of power..If you, the oppressor, wants to keep be oppressor, do you think that the victim will always remain victim?
I enjoyed the article and appreciate what appears to be an honest attempt to speak up. But I'm dissapointed that the final argument is simply "i'd rather be the stronger one". Its so simplistic and seems like an attempt to clear the writer of the moral responsibility to fight against an unjust occupation...not just make it somehow more pleasant for the humiliated. Surely, Jews know whats its like to be the weaker side...was it made ok just because a german solder smiled and gave you a drink of water?? I just hope that if one day the boot is on the other foot, the palestinians will stand up and refuse to treat others the way they had previously been treated.
If the boot were on the other foot, the Jews would've been thrown into the sea which is what the Palestinians and the rest of the Arab/Muslim world has promised Israel since '48. Your comparison to the German soldier is beneath contempt, handcuffs and blindfolds do not a Nazi make. I suspect that Nato forces act no better but hey you wouldn't want to miss an opportunity to bash Israel - facts be damned.
I also spent plenty of time in Lebanon and the territories while in the Army. Our orders were always "Kabdehu v'Hashdehu" roughly translated as "treat them with respect but remain suspicious" and overwhelmingly that's how the soldiers I served with acted.
Even in the US, when you are transported in a police vehicle for a very minor crime, you still get the nylon cuffs. Much like when you are a patient in a hospital, you get the gown that is open in back. Why make an issue out of it?
So this is the chosen people's service for Yahwe, "ASÆR LO ISA PANIM" , Deuteronomy 5.17! peres
It seems the IDF soldiers likes the pics. The prisoners could be her father or grandfather. It shows again that the IDF doesn't has respect for non-Israeli people.
I wonder if Aluf Benn took 'trophy' pictures with his detainees?
You miss the whole point Abergil's entry into the Facebook. I did not have contact with prisoners but I would not have hesitated to tie their hands and put a piece of cloth if it were necessary. The point in Abergil story is being photograped with the prisoners as if she had hunted and captured a beast. In the first place it is against Geneva convention- which in our parts very few care as a matter of fact- to publish in public prisoners' photos in captivity. To capture and/or schakle one who is a suspect being a terrorist is a job. Let us not forget that many photograped bound were later found to be innocent of any crime!
It would be a rag tag group of people with guns who do things their way. Assuming there is actually some truth in this story which we only have your word for we and considering its a story where you proclaim yourself a s a man of leftist courage it sounds more like a work of fiction. Assuming though its the real deal we dont know the FULL STORY only your side. Until we have heard from the guy you stupidly pointed a loaded gun at then we never will. As for what really took place it doesn't matter soldiers should NEVER point their guns at other soldiers didn't they teach you that in tiranoot. From your own story I don't get the impression your life was in any danger. Somebody could have very easily been killed and if I had been your superior officer I would have brought you up on charges for that.
Although I appreciate the tenor of this argument, the fact that Mr Benn doesn't believe he has been corrupted by his experience speaks volumes.
Skelettons in the closet? Coughing it up two weaks after the Eden story - that's not too early... But concerning a long-serving journalist, it would probably be a bit naive to conclude on a heavy heart. Or not? Then he took his chance. But reassure me: I suspect Benn didn't put his photographs with prisoners on the job applications he submitted to Haaretz, did he?
I too had similar experiences in my service in the West Bank, and it is important that people hear soldiers speak out. One positive outcome is that now I consider my duty in reserve service to prevent such abuse against Palestinians whenever possible. The more people who expose this behavior for what it is, all too normal, the better. Revenge and hate achieves nothing, it is time to stop the cycle of violence and hate.
your foremost duty is to protect Israel .Leave turning another cheek to some pious Jesuits ,who btw have never ever done it somehow.
Would you have given the same advice to German soldiers during WWII, or does this apply only to Israelis?
Sure, protecting Israel should come first, but preventing abuse of Palestinians should be taken seriously too.
blah ,blah ,blah.. I already advised you to go demonstrate in front of USAF facilities in Tampa,,Fl. ,or Las Vegas ,,where controllers of drones killing Taliban chieftains together with their whole families are situated. Remember ,"cycle of violence and hate must be stopped " !!! Go,potobac ,go !!
Good start Aluf..at least your thoughts have some how some human gestures....But, We need someone else to tell us what was happening in the those "Shin Bet's interrogation rooms "...
Why you Israelis always crave to make something special of everything you do and always try to explain yourself ?
Israel shouldn't strive to be better than regimes in which callous violence perpetrated by the state is the norm? And as an intellectual wannabe, you should look up the definition of "esoteric." Wrong choice. This article can be understood/appreciated by anyone with a conscience
I appreciate that English probably isn't your first language, but please stop using words whose meaning you don't understand.
If you say so ,who am I to judge them ..
"esoteric" ,but let me explain it to you : esoteric =belonging to the select few , Few in this case means Israelis finding problems and having qualms about something natural ,nobody else minds. Like hancuffing terror suspects . You didn't find problems with asking arrested after London Tube bombing to undress themselves and approach police with hands up ,did you ?(shown on the BBC ) Nobody in England had any qualms about it ,so some esoteric considerations of this were well hidden .. Got it ? Otherwise I'll be always willing to fill gap in your comprehension and general knowledge Ta ,,,
For how long do you think you'll remain on the stronger side?
for the Arabs to give up their dream of annihilating us. Israelis want peace and are willing to pay the price but they also know that for many Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims and Durson, the only peace they'll agree to is one where Israel is exterminated. Work for peace and prepare for war is the only way to survive in the middle east.
We know you will murder every one of us, including woman, children and infants, if you ever get a chance. It's not like we can change that. And it makes no sense to obsess about something you can't change. All we can do is try to make sure we remain on the stronger side.
To Arthur 5: It's not the individual soldiers, it's the system, if I understand Mr Benn correctly. "I was not trained to know how to treat them." says it all.
what you describe will be undoubtedly condemned by the left, including the hypocrites in europe, america and the arab world. however, it is certain that when faced with the constant threat of wars, it is always better to be on the stronger side.
thugs wanting to beat restrained prisoners? Don't condemn intentionally over tightening hand cuffs?
...because they can't condemn anything Israel does...it's a mindset. Hey, at least she's not a hypocrit, except of course, when a Palestinian tortures a Jew, she calls it terrorism...and when a Jew does it to a Palestinian, she calls it glorious Jewish self defense.
The article is interesting until the final conclusion, which serves only as a non sequitur. Of course it's better to be strong enough that you are the detainer rather than the detainee - we did not need the benefit of his experience in Lebanon to know that. I'm not putting words into the author's mouth one way or the other, but his conclusion seemed strangely trivial.
Nothing in here supports the conclusion...
Please give me a break yes it is not good to occupy another people and certainly not for that long but please give me a break the Arabs are not innocent lams!! They supported and condoned terror against civilians and did nothing to stop it!! Claiming only a few Palestinians commited terror is nonsense as well as blaming all the jews for the occupation or ills of some IDF soldiers!! Balance is something Haaretz has to learn in order to be even heard by Israeli Jews!If not you become irrelevant.
with respect, I don't believe you.
for sharing your thoughts with us. very remarkable.
"It's better to be the guard than the prisoner." With all due respect, that is the only lesson you learned from your experience as a detainer? Maybe you could have also learned the lesson that humanity is cruel? That injustice is not only unpunished but barely noticed? That the oppressed are utterly powerless? That nobody ever speaks for them? That the only reason humiliating policies exist is because the people who enforce them allow them to? This is the best you can do? Really?
The reality in Israel my frined is slightly different. i am proud to say that our press is free, that in humane treatment is not ignored and that perpetrators are held accountable. The oppressed here are far from powerless, the un , iran, us and pethora of human rights and refuggee agency ensure that each every palestinian has a voice. Humiliating policies do exist, and to be honest I am glad i am not charged with having to decide what is acceptable and what isnt. Wether we like it or not both populations will continue to live in this part of the world, it is time that all recognised this and fought harder for reconcilliation rather than name calling and playing the blame game.