Atalya here. I began my work with the Refuser Solidarity Network (RSN) a few days after October 7. The first days were overwhelming. Everyone in Israel was in shock. In one day, 1,400 had been killed, thousands injured, and 0ver 200 civilian hostages taken into Gaza. Many of the casualties were women, children, and the elderly. Everybody knew someone. I was no exception: Close friends from one of the Kibbutzim hardest hit on the Gaza border, Beeri, needed me at their side.
It was clear that an unprecedented military response was coming, and that it had no clear aim except revenge. But I knew that, fundamentally, nothing had changed. There is no military solution. I wasn’t alone in this position, even in the confusion of those first days. I found that many were willing to speak out, including among those directly impacted by the attack. They had a clear message: The only way out of this terrible situation is an immediate ceasefire, a prisoner exchange, and ending the Israeli occupation and oppression of the Palestinians.
Very few were hearing these voices, however. The Israeli media discourse, always somewhat jingoistic, was monolithic. Police were framing dissent as support for Hamas, and brutally cracking down on anyone refusing to toe the line. It became clear that one of the best things we at RSN could do to support war resisters was to amplify their voices, and help them build an international support network.
I began canvassing, meeting dissidents on the streets and in their homes, filming their statements and posting them on Voices Against War, a platform we established on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. We’ve exposed hundreds of thousands around the world to an Israeli anti-war message, and many of them have become active supporters, vocally and financially. We need your help to continue this work.
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 me amplify these Voices Against War. We need $30,000 to continue to operate and expand the channel through the first few months of 2024. Please donate here.
With your help, we can reach more people and end this war.
In solidarity,
Atalya Ben Abba
Voices Against War
Refuser Solidarity Network