To an outside observer, Israeli public debate appears solid. There seems to be an overwhelming consensus supporting an open-ended war on the Palestinians of Gaza in revenge for the horrors of October 7. The reality is different. Many Israelis, including some directly impacted by the Hamas attack, believe that there is no military solution and that the only way out of this terrible situation is an immediate ceasefire followed by prisoner exchange. They want to speak out, but are hard pressed to find a stage. That’s why we established Voices Against War, which we told you about in our last update.
Since the outbreak of the war, an active anti war movement has come together in Israel, composed of a variety of individuals and groups. Our Israeli partners in the struggle against the occupation are central to this movement, and all of them have intensified their war resistance actions. Organizing these activities is harder now than ever: A crackdown on dissent is in progress, and arrests of nonviolent protesters are a daily occurrence.
Alongside amplification of their voices on social media, our role at Refuser Solidarity Network (RSN) is to provide support for our partners in the anti war movement. We help fund the logistical needs of protest organizers, from transport to the printing of signs and banners. In addition, we support an array of specialized activities designed to make the most of our partners’ experience and expertise. Here are a few examples:
Since the outbreak of the Gaza War, conscientious objectors have been denied access to even the limited recourse available to them normally. Specialized hotlines have been extremely important in providing legal, emotional, and practical support to hundreds of Israeli war refusers, both reservists and conscripts.
High school seniors facing conscription are exposed to a deluge of pro-war propaganda, and a largely one-sided public discourse. War resistance networks create a support structure, supporting acts of personal and group refusal. Activists regularly visit schools, conversing with students and distributing leaflets with an Israeli anti-war message.
With the world focused on Gaza, repression and displacement of West Bank Palestinians continues unabated. The threats to some vulnerable communities has actually increased, as settler violence has skyrocketed. In response, anti-occupation activists have intensified the solidarity and protection efforts for partner communities in the southern West Bank. Activists visit as often as possible with material aid, and a hotline works 24-7 to exert pressure on the army to respond to settler attacks.
Now, more than two months since the outbreak of the war, there appears to be no end in sight. Repression of dissent has only increased. More than ever, Israelis working to end the war need your support. I’d like to ask you to help us continue to support our Israeli partners. We’re raising $30,000 for this purpose. Please donate here.
With your help, we can end this war.
In solidarity,
Mattan Helman
Executive director
Refuser Solidarity Network