Refuse the War

Last week as I was handing out our “Refuse the War“ stickers at “Ha’Bima” protest, an older woman asked me “It’s been a long time since I belonged to the army,  how can I refuse now?”  A very good question.

Perhaps the more accurate phrase is “to stand against” and not just “to resist.”  to Act against. Stand in the middle of the raging murky river and resist.

Last Wednesday we were invited to an "Iftar dinner" at the home of Palestinian friends and activists. After the amazing dinner we opened a talking circle. The atmosphere on our hosts’ side was somber. One of the reasons was the complete desperation they feel because of the inability to get Palestinians to take political action against the occupation. Seemingly, the only path open - one that our hosts do not subscribe to -  is allegedly the path of violence. This path is futile and exacts an enormous and horrific price.

Most Palestinians are struggling to survive as the poverty deepens. Anyone that dares to resist the occupation, even by posting on social media, can find themselves under arrest and in danger for their lives, their health and their family. Under these conditions, any protest and any resistance is a brave act that requires significant personal sacrifices that few are capable of. They watch with forlorn eyes as the settlers are doing whatever they want and as the security forces back the settlers’ every whim, harassment and assault. Violence prevails.

Two years ago, before the war, we were at the same place for an "Iftar". Then too, the atmosphere was heavy, but there still seemed a path for taking action and we did indeed act together. Now the situation has changed. We, Israelis, are not under the same oppression yet and our partners expect us justifiably to act. Moreover, they expect that we act politically and not just as protectors of human rights.

To refuse then, from my point of view, is to stand against. First, we must say loud and clear that the war must stop. We should support and give legitimacy to anyone who refuses to be part of the military action, because a huge red flag, one  that blinds the eye, is hoisted above the decision to renew the war.

To refuse is to stand against the shallow thinking and cowardice that hides the connection between the war crimes, occupation and the apartheid. It doesn’t get any clearer than when the decision to renew the war, kill children and forsake hostages – is made just for the purpose of returning a ”Kahanist” party to the coalition, and for that same purpose they also try to get rid of the last of the gatekeepers and deeply wreck the judicial branch.

But to refuse and stand against is not just to protest and shout, it is not just to be brave and express an unpopular opinion,  it is not just looking the occupation in the eye. All of these are necessary but not sufficient. My friends and I are acting by protecting shepherd communities from the settlers’ violence. There are many other ways, political, economical and other public actions to refuse and stand against.

I tried to cram all of this into two sentences, while the music was blaring in the background, as I was talking with the woman. I do not know if I convinced her, but she did take the sticker and wore it on her shirt. She was one of about 1,000 people that took and displayed the “Refuse the War” stickers. There were also others that took signs we brought, or similar signs in the same spirit that were brought by others and raised them.

We were not represented on the stage in “Ha’bima” protest.There the Zionist opposition parties took pride in the fact that they collaborated against fascist legislation and the rest of the judicial coup. Wonderful. Yet what about war crimes? What about the occupation and the settlers’ war? These are unmentionable.

For now, we do not have a place on the stage. But, among the crowds that are demonstrating in the streets, slowly, maybe, the winds are shifting.