ABSTRACT
Exploring Israeli psychotherapists' experiences working with Holocaust survivors and second generation a few months into the violence that erupted September 2000, the author encountered instances of inhibited listening resulting from acute personal stress and danger. This led her to rethink the concept of conspiracy of silence in the context of “a priori countertransference.” Some historical processes underlying this conspiracy of silence (related to Holocaust traumas) are reviewed with a focus on Israel. Suggestions are made to ensure clients optimal listening.