Interview

Oren Yakobovich

Video Department Director, B'Tselem
Jerusalem

Oren Yakobovich is Director of Video at B'Tselem, the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories.

What is the mission statement of your organization?

B'Tselem - The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories has earned international recognition as the leading Israeli organization advocating to improve human rights in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Founded in 1989, B'Tselem’s primary goals are to protect human rights in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and to generate commitment among the Israeli public to universal human rights principles. The organization promotes these goals through a combination of first class documentation and research, and innovative public education and advocacy strategies.

When was it created, by whom, and why?

B'Tselem was established in 1989, during the first Intifada in the Occupied Territories, by a group of prominent academics, attorneys, journalists, and Knesset members. Their goal was to make the Israeli public aware of the widespread human rights violations taking place in the Occupied Territories in order to bring about an end to these human rights abuses.

What is your operating budget? What would you do with more funds?

B'Tselem's annual operating budget is approximately $1.8 million. We would use additional funds to spread cameras even more extensively throughout the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, train Palestinians in their use and thereby create a groundswell of pressure for ending human rights abuses, brought about by the victims themselves, through non-violent means.

Outside of funding, what are some of the biggest challenges it faces? Or, specifically, what is the most frustrating part?

Compelling the authorities to investigate and hold accountable soldiers and others who have violated human rights.

What are three things about your NGO what you wish people knew?

• That B'Tselem is comprised of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim staff members.
• That B'Tselem staff, individually and collectively, are deeply committed to seeing universal human rights principles applied consistently, in Israel and throughout the region.
• That we share a collective hope that we will one day put ourselves out of business!

What would you consider to be B'Tselem's greatest accomplishment?

B’Tselem has produced a wealth of reliable information, both in written and visual form, about human rights in the Occupied Territories and has succeeded in breaking the “conspiracy of silence” within the Israeli public surrounding these issues. B’Tselem has also earned respect for its impartiality and accuracy and has become a primary source of information for the local and international media, as well as Israeli policymakers and the international community. B’Tselem’s credibility is reflected in the respect Israeli officials grant to the organization. The Israel Defense Forces and other relevant authorities issue a response to every B’Tselem report and these responses are published together with the report. Both military and government officials have come to understand that B’Tselem’s criticism must be taken seriously and addressed in a substantive manner.

What is your dream for B'Tselem?

My dream is that we can one day close B'Tselem's doors because we will have completed our task: there will no longer be a need to document and publicize human rights violations in the Occupied Territories because they will no longer be occurring.

Do you think media accurately portrays the issues your organization represents?

Much more than in the past, but still not as fully I'd like it to be seen.

How can people get involved?

By checking out our website, staying updated, distributing information to friends and family, and discussing human rights violations in the Occupied Territories so that it stays relevant.

How was the grant given by explore through the Annenberg Foundation used?

Building the project's background and framework, participant trainings, and for distributing visual materials produced.

Do you think it had an impact? How?

A huge effect. Empowering Palestinians who are now "armed" with cameras, deterring violence of security force personnel and settlers, and inculcating the perception of video documentation as an irrefutable form of evidence of human rights violations. B'Tselem has put video documentation to use in prompting the opening of military and police investigations that would likely not have been opened otherwise by sending video footage together with our demands for investigations of specific incidents. B'Tselem's video archive is also now a well-established resource for journalists and filmmakers alike.

What was your biggest surprise when explore came to visit you?

The deep and abiding interest in and compassion for the individual Palestinian families we met, and rapid understanding of the potential of the project to make change.

How long have you been involved with the NGO?

4 years

Why did you get involved?

While serving in the Israeli army in the Occupied Territories, I realized how limited the information we receive is. Following this initial service, I have refused to serve in the Occupied Territories, and I started making documentary films in order to raise public awareness about what happens there, as well as about other marginalized populations. After completing a number of documentary films, I realized that there was no direct impact on the ground. When B'Tselem started to work with video, I realized it was an opportunity to work use video in a way that will immediately impact reality.

Have you always worked in the NGO field?

No, I was a film director and worked with organizations to make movies, but until B'Tselem I was only involved externally.

Why is NGO work important?

It's important to advocate for marginalized, under-served populations, and support those who do not have a voice, bringing their story to the media and the authorities who have failed to uphold their obligations to people living under their control.

Did you have an inspirational figure in your life growing up?

Stephen Biko, the anti-apartheid activist, whose courage and conviction in the face of racism and oppression, helped many black South Africans retain a sense of pride and human dignity.

Are there other selfless leaders out there you admire? If so, who and why?

Aung San Suu Kyi, because of her brave and tenacious commitment to pursue human rights and democracy through non-violent means, in the face of great repression and injustice.

Why is it important to be a selfless person?

It gives you the chance to hear about others' realities, and to make your life and that of those around you better, which is good for everyone.

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

I would like people to listen to others and to be able to identify with others.

If there is one place or issue out there in the world you could personally explore, what would it be?

Places where it's possible to bring change through the use of media, such as Zimbabwe or Turkey.

What do you believe to be the biggest challenge facing our planet today?

Selfishness, lack of tolerance, violations of human rights and harming the Earth.

What do you think will be our planet’s biggest challenge 10 years from now? 25 years from now? 50 years from now?

Population growth, exploitation of resources and people, and the struggle over resources that leads to conflict and human rights abuses.

What is the key to living a happy life?

To know what you want from life, understand your limitations, and to surround yourself with people who know how to speak up at the right time.