Israeli Women Resisters: Maya Wind and Netta Mishly
Submitted by: Rae Abileah
Maya Wind and Netta Mishly refuse to rule over an occupied people. They refuse to contribute to a deadly cycle of violence with their neighbors. They refuse to confiscate land, to demolish homes, to detain Palestinians without charge. They refuse to guard checkpoints, to enforce a siege, to usher in a humanitarian disaster.
Maya and Netta both signed the 2008 Shministim Letter: a declaration by Israeli high school students that they would not enlist in the IDF to occupy Palestinian territories and rule over Palestinian life. Since military service is mandatory for Israeli Jews upon completing high school, Maya, Netta, and many of the dozens of teenagers who signed the letter have been sentenced to military prison, sometimes for multiple terms. Maya and Netta took this brave stand and served jail time, and since their release have been working day and night in human rights organizations in Israel and Palestine, and organizing demonstrations for justice.
Maya works with Rabbis for Human Rights, the International Coalition Against House Demolitions, and other grassroots organizations, from Jerusalem.
Netta works with New Profile, a feminist organization focusing on demilitarizing Israeli society, Anarchists Against the Wall, and other organizations, from Tel Aviv.
“We believe it is important to spread information about the Israeli occupation and about and the movements that work against it,” said Maya, who grew up attending religious Jewish schools. She joined the Shministim in December 2008 and spent 40 days in prison before her release in March. “We feel it is important to expose the American people, specifically the Jewish community, to the role they play in maintaining the occupation. We hope to empower people our age to take responsibility by taking a more active role in the resistance movements.”
Both of these women are currently on a US speaking tour co-organized by Jewish Voice for Peace and CODEPINK. They are sharing their personal stories of opposing the occupation with college students, Jewish communities, and interested folks around the country. For more info about the tour and about these 19 year old women, you can visit www.whywerefuse.org.
Aida Porteneuve said...
Two young courageous women who stand out for peace and justice. The world is a better place with you.
Dina Lahlou said...
very courageous young people, in such society, it takes lots of courage to stand out against the military occupation, they are sometimes considered as traitors, although they are following their conscience and abiding by the values of humanity.