Stories of Resistance: Conscientious Objectors from Israeli Military

Refusenik Tour – Ottawa: Stories of Resistance

Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025

Time: 4:30 PM

Location: Saint Paul Amphitheatre

This event is free and open to all. Seats are limited – register now!

Join us for an panel about resistance, refusal, and solidarity.

As Israel’s attacks on Gaza escalate, voices of dissent from within ‘48 Israel are growing louder. Independent Jewish Voices Canada, Mesarvot, Israeli Apartheid Week, World Beyond War, and the United Jewish People's Order are proud to present the Refusenik Tour, featuring two Israeli anti-Zionist conscientious objectors, Einat Gerlitz and Tal Mitnick. The Ottawa leg of the tour will feature Amani Abu Ramadan, a Gazan native, filmmaker, storyteller, and artist.

This panel will explore the role of military refusal in the fight against apartheid, the consequences faced by Israeli refuseniks, and the importance of international solidarity in the struggle for Palestinian liberation.

Speakers:

? Einat Gerlitz - a queer Israeli antizionist activist and conscientious objector who was sentanced to 87 days in military prison and who later testified infront of the United Nations Human Rights Council during a Universal Periodic Review.

? Tal Mitnick – an Israeli antizionst activist who was the first conscientious objector to refuse after October, 2023, leading to a military prison sentance of 185 days. His activism identifies the occupation of Palestine as the source of rising fascism.

? Amani Abu Ramadan – a Palestinian storyteller, filmmaker, artist, and scholar from Gaza, speaking on life under occupation and the necessity of resistance and international solidarity

? Moderated by Nir Hagigi - an antizionist Jewish community organizer born in Haifa and raised in Nazareth, who leads the Carleton chapter of Independent Jewish Voices and the Carleton University Human Rights Society.

Why Attend?

Hear firsthand testimonies from those refusing to participate in oppression

Learn about the growing anti-Zionist movement within ‘48 Israel

Engage in critical discussion on military refusal and Palestinian liberation

Strengthen cross-movement solidarity and take action for justice