The Voice from the Pavement – Peter Adamis 22 February 2013
A copy of the article may be downloaded by clicking on: BEN ZYGIER TORN BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES WAS BETRAYED
Ben Zygier was no traitor according to media reports across the globe and his case has captured the hearts and minds of Australians and those of the Israelis.
At first the matter was shoved under the carpet so to speak and the grieving parents and his wife left with a whole in their hearts. Ben Zygier’s wife who it would appear had been and still is silenced by whom, one can only guess. Maybe in future editorials we may know or guess the truth. Such is the influence and power of the Israeli secret service who will go to great length as to keep their operations secret and to a few.
However to be fair to all the stakeholders involved, the matter could have been handled differently. Those who have a better grasp of the world of intelligence gathering and covet operations to complete their objectives and assigned tasks, know full well that their work is not all “James Bond” methodologies. But use long and laborious ways of completing their objectives, using such methods as electronic, deception, Humint (human intelligence) and planning which in the case of the Israeli secret services could takes years to plan.
In the case of Ben Zygier, it would appear that despite the enormous planning and preparation into the covert operations that he may or may not have been an active participant did not go as planned. Whatever went wrong it appears that the powers to be took immediate and active steps to either cover up and/or silence the participants involved. Therefore knowing the profile of Ben Zygier, isolated him in order to bring about his silence and starve him of access to the outside world.
Whatever psychological pressure was being placed on the young man only he could tell, but as he is now lying in a Melbourne grave we will never know the whole truth. What one can surmise is that Ben Zygier was torn between his responsibility towards his adopted country, his loyalty, love and honour of his parents and family and that of his birth place Australia. Taking his life to him was the only solution.
Furthermore, this young man who had everything going for him was placed under enormous pressure that even a strong person would have found it difficult to survive. If what then the reports of bruising and tranquilisers being found on his body are true, one can surmise that he had been indeed interrogated using methods under the supervision of a skilful interrogator. If in fact Ben Zygier did commit suicide, it is fair to say that it was done under duress as he was unable to see an honourable way out of a seemingly difficult situation.
Who knows what he had been threatened with? What is sure in this case is that his defence lawyer could have and should have been far more proactive in his defence and demanded that his client be given every right under Israeli law. As each day goes by the case surrounding young Ben Zygier is being brought to light. Unraveling day by day as additional information becomes available, it would come as no surprise that the public becomes angry at the treatment of one its people whether it is by Australians or by the Israelis.
Whatever the case may be the public has a right to know what its security forces are doing and be accountable to the lawmakers. No one is above the law in any democratic country. One hopes that when the matter has been thoroughly investigated and that the truth becomes public, that the young man is portrayed in a far more positive light than that which some of the Israeli media have demonstrated so far.
There is a lesson to be learnt here. That is that all Australians no matter their origins who feel that they have a duty and a sense of loyalty to a country other than that of Australia should think twice before embarking on a path that would eventually test the allegiance. However on the other hand, it is possible in this day and age to have cultural and ancestral bonds to another country other than that of Australia without their allegiance being questioned.
A case in point is the makeup of Australia’s Defence and civilian work force whose origins are of a multicultural nature. Multiculturalism being but a vehicle towards becoming integrated into the Australian fabric of society. In the case of Ben Zygier, it is unfortunate that he was torn between two loves of his life, Australia and that of Israel,. In the end he is buried in his first love, Australia as a testament of where his loyalties lay. May he rest in peace.
Postscript: Recently as December 2013, there have been unsubstantiated reports that the story of young Ben Zygier will be made. It will be a story that will probably make some individuals, government departments and countries ill at ease or embarrassed if a movie is made.
Peter Adamis is a (not for profit) Journalist/Commentator. He is a retired Australian military serviceman and an Industry organisational & Occupational (OHS) & Training Consultant whose interests are within the parameters of domestic and international political spectrum. He is an avid blogger and contributes to domestic and international community news media outlets as well as to local and Ethnic News. He holds a Bachelor of Adult Learning & Development (Monash), Grad Dip Occupational Health & Safety, (Monash), Dip. Training & Assessment, Dip Public Administration, and Dip Frontline Management. Contact via Email: [email protected]