Treason and Betrayal in the Experience of Israel’s ex-POWs
Keywords:
Betrayal, Being Betrayed, Former Prisoners of War, Israeli Prisoners of War, Psychopathology, TraumaAbstract
Betrayal is conceived as an extreme and unexpected violation of the basic social contract that challenges and often undermines a person’s world view. Betrayal is an integral part of man-made traumatic events. This study assesses the betrayal perpetuated and experienced by former Israeli prisoners of war (POWs).
The article’s qualitative analysis of the texts that were written by former POWs (autobiographies, interviews and blogs) reveals that they experienced the salience of betrayal in four distinct chronological phases: (1) before and during capture they felt that the IDF was complacent, had neglected its soldiers, and forfeited its responsibility to protect them; (2) during captivity when the POWs divulged military information in violation of orders and against their own expectations; (3) at home coming when the former POWs felt that they were being blamed for their plight; and (4) years after their release when the defense ministry overlooked and dismissed their psychological suffering.
In light of these findings, we suggest expanding the current concept of traumainduced, fear-based psychopathology to include betrayal-related manifestations.
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