Becca - Teaching Israelis to ask the hard questions
Feb 11, 2025
auto_awesome
In this engaging discussion, Becca Strober, a political strategist and educator, shares her insights on educating about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She dives into the complexities of social media's role in spreading information and combating disinformation. Becca highlights the unjust detainment of Palestinian minors and stresses the need for storytelling to promote understanding. Reflecting on her family's legacy, she discusses transformative moments in military service and introduces the Freedom School initiative, emphasizing education as a path to empowerment and social change.
Becca Strober's journey illustrates the transformative power of questioning deeply ingrained narratives surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a means of fostering understanding.
The podcast emphasizes the need for accurate information and education to combat misinformation about the complexities of the Israeli occupation and its systemic injustices.
Highlighting the disparities in the military justice system, the discussion raises critical concerns over the treatment of Palestinians, especially children, under such a framework.
The speaker advocates for a shared vision of equality and justice, stressing the importance of involving both Israelis and Palestinians in collaboratively defining a peaceful future.
Deep dives
Journey of Disillusionment
The speaker shares their personal journey from being a proud Israeli and Zionist to questioning the narratives they grew up with regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This transformation is described as a gradual process influenced by interactions with activists advocating for the Palestinian struggle. Each guest on the podcast is portrayed as having a unique path of awakening, showcasing the diverse experiences that lead to a shift in perspective. This journey emphasizes the importance of understanding multiple viewpoints to foster a better future for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Breaking Down Complexity
The podcast highlights efforts to demystify the complexity of the Israeli occupation and its systems through educational initiatives, particularly on social media. The host emphasizes that while the occupation is often deemed 'complicated,' the underlying injustices are stark and clear when examined closely. Personal anecdotes illustrate the overwhelming emotions experienced during witnessing demolitions or military actions against Palestinians, underscoring that understanding the occupation is crucial for effective advocacy. The initiative aims to create a more informed public discourse around these issues.
Impact of October 7th
October 7th is identified as a significant moment that altered the discourse within Israeli society regarding the conflict. The speaker reflects on the emotions of fear and shock that engulfed many Israelis following violent escalations, leading to a period of silence among activists. Despite a hesitation to engage, the speaker recognized a growing vacuum of clear and truthful communication regarding the conflict on social media platforms, particularly in the wake of misinformation. This encouraged them to take action and address the complexities and realities of the occupation for a wider audience.
Military Justice and Legal System
A critical examination is conducted on the military justice system under which Palestinians are subjected, highlighting severe disparities in treatment compared to Israeli citizens. The discussion details the harsh realities faced by Palestinian children, often arrested under conditions that lack proper legal oversight or humane treatment. Statistics are shared indicating a high conviction rate for Palestinians in military courts, raising questions about fairness and justice. The emphasis is on the need for accountability and transparency within the military system, spotlighting the ongoing issues of human rights violations.
Normalizing Injustice
The podcast discusses how entrenched narratives in Israeli society perpetuate the normalization of violence and injustices against Palestinians. The speaker reflects on the everyday experiences of soldiers who enforce policies that violate the rights of Palestinians while dismissing their humanity. Education and exposure to different perspectives are deemed crucial to breaking the cycles of complicity and ignorance. The advocate outlines how superficial perceptions can cloud the understanding of the deeper systemic injustices at play and emphasizes the imperative for societal change.
The Role of Education
Education is positioned as a powerful tool for fostering a more just society, with initiatives aimed at teaching young people about the realities of the occupation and promoting activism. The speaker discusses their involvement in creating meaningful educational programs that empower individuals to comprehend the complex dynamics of the conflict. By providing historical context and firsthand accounts, these initiatives strive to shift perceptions and encourage critical thinking. The importance of equipping the next generation with the knowledge and tools necessary to combat oppression is underscored.
Building a Collective Future
The podcast stresses the necessity of envisioning a future that transcends the current conflict, focusing on shared rights and equality for both Palestinians and Israelis. The speaker calls for a collaborative process that invites input from both communities to define what justice and peace could look like. This vision involves moving beyond mere reactions to violence and working collaboratively towards sustainable solutions. The emphasis is placed on the urgency of this dialogue, especially in light of recent escalations in violence.
Strengthening the Movement
The need for solidifying and strengthening the movement against the occupation is discussed as crucial in light of recent developments in the region. The speaker recounts experiences from their activism, emphasizing how important it is to maintain momentum and support among activists. Educational initiatives and community-building efforts are presented as fundamental parts of this collective struggle. This communal approach is highlighted as key to fostering resilience in the face of ongoing challenges and ensuring the movement's sustainability over time.
Becca Strober is a political strategist and educator. They are a co-founder of ‘Freedom School’, a former Senior Director at Breaking the Silence, and current chairperson of the board of the Jewish-Palestinian educational organization, Sedaka-Reut. They run the Instagram page and podcast Becca.explains.the.occupation, which aims to deepen the understanding of the actions and policies in the Palestinian Occupied Territories and Israel, in both Hebrew and English. They believe that in a time of widespread disinformation, focusing on changing the system rather than on buzzwords is necessary so that we can push for equality and a just future for Palestinians and Israelis.
.
Check out my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Yehavit
.
****
.
A few important disclaimers:
This podcast was created and funded privately by me. I don’t belong to any organization, nor does it represent anyone other than myself.
Secondly, I don’t intend this content to provide a justification or excuse for the actions people interviewed did in their past, but rather to learn from their personal experiences and gain insight as to what the process of transformation looks like. Certain parts of the episode could be triggering for you, and I advise taking into consideration that some of the events discussed are morally and ethically challenging (to say the least).
.
And lastly:
I acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which I work as the indigenous people of this country, and pay my respects to their elders, past and emerging.
.
****
.
Thank you Roy Geva for the soundtrack
.
You can contact me at @yehavit on Instagram (or write to yehavit@gmail if you’re not on Instagram)
