Disillusioned

Arnon - So we’re the ‘bad guys’?

Apr 29, 2024

Arnon, a former Israeli Air Force intelligence officer turned educator and eco-therapist, shares his profound journey from military service to peace advocacy. He reflects on the psychological toll of ethical dilemmas faced during operations in Gaza and the West Bank. Arnon discusses the normalized violence stemming from his Kibbutz upbringing and addresses the complexities of transitioning to civilian life. He emphasizes the importance of compassion in fostering coexistence and healing amidst ongoing conflict, highlighting personal stories of resilience and connection.

01:24:00

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Arnon

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Quick takeaways

Arnon's journey reflects a profound questioning of the traditional Zionist narrative, revealing the complexities of identity and moral responsibility in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Through his military experiences and the observation of collateral damage, Arnon highlights the emotional toll of service on individuals and the cyclical nature of violence.

The podcast emphasizes the importance of collaborative initiatives like Combatants for Peace, fostering empathy and nonviolent communication between Israelis and Palestinians toward sustainable solutions.

Deep dives

Questioning the Zionist Narrative

The podcast emphasizes the personal journey of questioning the traditional Zionist narrative held by many Israelis. One key figure, Arnon, reflects on his upbringing in a kibbutz established by his grandparents, where he discovered a hidden underground arms factory supporting militant groups. This history prompts him to ponder the legitimacy of violence used by both sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It highlights the complexities of viewing these actions through a lens of oppression and resistance, revealing how narratives can be conflicting depending on one's perspective.

Intro

2min

Growing Up in Secrecy: A Kibbutz Legacy

8min

Reflections of Service and Conflict

8min

Ethical Dilemmas in Military Operations

17min

Morality in the Matrix: Warfare and Technology

3min

Navigating the Transition from Soldier to Civilian

2min

Navigating Conflict and Coexistence

29min

Healing Through Connection: A Tale of Resilience

11min

Navigating Parenthood in a Militarized Context

3min

Arnon served in the Israeli Air Force intelligence unit which was operating in Gaza during the early 2000s. A few years later, once the war with Lebanon broke out, he decided to stop serving in the military. Throughout the years he was active in different joint initiatives with Palestinians and other groups, and today works as an educator in a kindergarten and as an eco-therapist. Arnon is constantly in search of ways to liberate himself and others from the many systems of oppression that are linked together for himself and for generations to come.

Support this podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Yehavit

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A few important disclaimers:

This podcast is created and funded by me privately. 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.

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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).

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Stuff we mentioned:

Underground ammunition factory: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayalon_Institute

The Hamas attack on the Park Hotel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passover_massacre

Operation Defensive Shield: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Defensive_Shield

Combatants for Peace: https://cfpeace.org/

Uri Ben Eliezer: https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=uri+ben+eliezer&btnG=

Satyam Community: for more details contact: talyaya@gmail.com

Podcast in Hebrew about the history of Gaza: https://www.parotk.com/category/%D7%A4%D7%95%D7%93%D7%A7%D7%90%D7%A1%D7%98-podcast/%D7%A2%D7%96%D7%94-%D7%94%D7%A1%D7%99%D7%A4%D7%95%D7%A8-%D7%94%D7%9C%D7%90-%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%9B%D7%A8/