Two Israeli anti-Zionist activists are calling for an end to Israel’s occupation over Palestine and expressing hope for a peaceful future.
In 2022, 18-year-old Einat Gerlitz refused her mandatory enlistment into Israel’s military as a form of resistance against a force that she said created a greater sense of mourning over security. As a result, she spent 87 days in a military prison.
Just one year later, Tal Mitnick, 19, said he also had to choose between his civic duty and his morals.
Ultimately, Mitnick chose to stand with his beliefs, becoming the first Israeli to refuse military enlistment following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. His decision landed him in prison for 185 days.
“I had a choice either to be part of this force that is currently genociding my neighbours, that is killing people’s loved ones, or I had a choice to refuse,” Mitnick said at a panel discussion at Saint Paul’s University on March 8. The event was organized by Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) Canada.
Now, the two are taking part in a cross-Canada tour, speaking about their experiences and why they chose to refuse.
At the panel, Mitnick and Gerlitz sat alongside Gazan artist and filmmaker Amani Abu Ramadan to discuss resistance, hope and the future.
“The only way forward is together and [through] co-resistance,” Mitnick said.
Nir Hagigi, president of IJV Carleton, moderated the discussion and emphasized the importance of bringing the three voices together.
“Einat and Tal are here to speak on behalf of people who refuse to enlist,” Hagigi said. “Amani is here to speak on behalf of those who don’t have a choice but to face the treatment of the occupation of the [Israeli] military.”
According to a United Nations report, more than 45,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel’s military since Oct. 7, 2023.
Despite the numerous hardships, the panellists all said hope is not lost.
“For us Israeli Jewish activists, our resistance is recognizing that Palestine exists, that Palestinians exist and that Palestinians are not going anywhere,” Mitnick said.
“[The panellists are] examples of how we can come together and speak to such important issues and come out with a shared humanity,” Wardrop said.
Despite the importance of remaining hopeful, Gerlitz said progress toward peace can sometimes feel like a distant dream. However, she said the only way to cope with the difficult circumstances is for people to support each other.
“We can’t hold onto hope all the time, and I think that’s where the community role [comes in],” Gerlitz said. “When [one] person falls down, another person holds the hope for them, and we need to hold on to the hope for each other so it won’t slip between our fingers.”
Artist Abu Ramadan said she dreams of returning to her homeland in Gaza, and until then, she shows resistance by attempting to foster a more harmonious world for people of the future.
“It’s like when we plant olive trees — we don’t plant them for us, we plant [them] for the next generations.”
Featured Image provided by Nir Hagigi.
