While watching the documentary film, “Tomorrow’s Freedom,” on Marwan Barghouti, I realized that I have been very reluctant to address one particular aspect of Israel’s behavior towards Palestinians: a streak of senseless cruelty and vindictiveness found in many (not all) Israeli soldiers and commanders. This cruelty has gained widespread approval and legitimacy in Israel, sometimes appearing as standard regulations or practices of the military:
Throughout my career documenting Israeli human rights violations, I have been trying my best to understand Israeli behavior as an exaggerated, and often misinformed, response to security needs, real or perceived, and as natural responses in a bitter conflict that often involves dehumanizing the enemy. I attempted to see their actions as excesses, as overkill meant to achieve deterrence by a display of overwhelming superior force. ….more
