Israeli Soldiers' Photos Illuminate Occupation

By Julie McCarthy

Published June 23, 2004 at 12:00 AM EDT

The Israeli army is questioning a group of soldiers whose photographic exhibit, Breaking the Silence, depicts what life is like for troops in the divided West Bank city of Hebron. The exhibit is currently on display in Tel Aviv, and its raw look at the military's behavior is meant to provoke a deeper consideration among Israelis of all aspects of compulsory military service under difficult conditions.

The photos are the latest episode of troops willing to speak out about the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. As NPR's Julie McCarthy reports, the exhibit has drawn mixed reviews, ranging from former soldiers who lauded their courage to come forward, to citizens upset at what they call a one-sided depiction of the conflict.

Julie McCarthy

Julie McCarthy has spent most of career traveling the world for NPR. She's covered wars, prime ministers, presidents and paupers. But her favorite stories "are about the common man or woman doing uncommon things," she says.

See stories by Julie McCarthy

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