Our method
Every testimony on Unsettled goes through the same process. This page explains it, so that readers can trust what they read and contributors know exactly what to expect.
Who can give a testimony
People who are Israeli, or who grew up in Israel, and who have left the country, broken with Zionism, or both. Doubts and unfinished journeys are welcome. We do not require anyone to hold particular political views today.
1. First contact
The contributor writes to us through the secure form or by email. A few lines are enough. Nothing is published at this stage.
2. Verification
Before any interview, we confirm two things in a confidential conversation:
- Identity — that the person is who they say they are. We may ask to see an identity document. We look at it; we do not keep a copy.
- History — that the key facts of their story are consistent: where they lived, when they served if they did, when and how they changed. Where possible we check against public records or a reference the contributor proposes.
If we cannot verify a case, we do not publish it. Verification documents and notes are deleted once the case is confirmed.
3. Interview
In writing, by audio or on camera, as the contributor prefers, and in Hebrew, English or Spanish. Interviews follow a shared set of questions — background, the turning point, what came after — so that testimonies can be read side by side.
4. Editing
We edit for length and clarity only. We do not add words, change meaning, or shape a story to fit a message. Identifying details are removed or altered when the contributor asks for it, and we flag in the text when that has been done.
5. Approval
The contributor reads the final text, and watches or listens to the final cut, before anything goes online. Nothing is published without their explicit approval.
6. Translation
Each testimony is published in the language it was given and translated into the other two. Translations are made with the help of AI tools and reviewed by us. The original language is always marked, and the original text prevails.
7. Corrections and withdrawal
If we make a factual mistake, we correct it and note the correction and its date at the end of the page. Contributors can ask us to change or remove their testimony at any time, and we will do so without asking for reasons.
What a testimony is — and is not
A testimony is a personal account of a person’s own life and choices. It reflects their experience and opinions, not a statement of fact about others. We verify who people are and the outline of their story; we do not present their opinions as ours.
Public voices
Our Public voices section is different. It features people who have already spoken in public, and:
- we summarise their story in our own words, based on at least two published sources, which we link;
- we only use photographs published under free licences, with credit;
- they have not been interviewed by us, and their inclusion does not mean they endorse this project.
If you appear in Public voices and want something corrected or removed, write to contact@unsettledvoices.org.