Netanyahu Says Breaking the Silence is ‘Crossing Another Red Line’
by JNS.org
JNS.org – The controversial left wing NGO Breaking the Silence is under investigation into allegations as to whether or not it attempted to glean classified information from former Israel Defense Forces soldiers in the wake of a report by Israel’s Channel 2.
The report from Israel’s Channel 2 claimed that the left wing NGO Breaking the Silence actively worked to place people in classified units in the IDF in order to gather information that it could use in its activities against “the occupation.”
Additionally, activists from the group interviewed IDF veterans on issues related to military secrets and not human rights.
Channel 2 gained the information about the group using hidden camera footage filmed by activists from the right wing NGO Ad Kan.
Breaking the Silence has long been controversial in Israel. The NGO attempts to expose alleged IDF human rights abuses in the disputed territories by using testimonies of former IDF veterans.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the report and say that security officials are investigating the group’s actions.
“Breaking the Silence has crossed another red line,” Netanyahu said. “The defense establishment’s investigative bodies are looking into the issue.”
Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon also said that the army has opened an investigation into whether or not the organization had gained classified information from former soldiers.