Human rights activist Ziv Stahl found herself in the middle of a devastating terrorist attack while visiting her sister’s home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza on October 7. The attack, carried out by Hamas militants, resulted in the murder of her sister-in-law and several well-known peace activists living in the kibbutz. Stahl called the police but was shocked to hear that they would not be coming.
Stahl, who is the executive director of human rights organization Yesh Din, is not advocating for retaliation but emphasizes that Israel has the right to defend itself and its citizens. However, she believes that this should not be done indiscriminately or at the expense of Palestinian lives.
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The attack has left Israel’s peace movement grappling with the ongoing cycle of violence and the security needs of Israelis. Some activists have chosen to step back from the public discourse on a lasting ceasefire, while others argue that ending the war and establishing a two-state solution is more crucial than ever.
However, peace activists in Israel are facing challenges, with authorities trying to conflate their activism with support for Hamas. Permits for anti-war protests have become extremely difficult to obtain, and some activists have been arrested for participating in peaceful protests.
The younger generation in Israel is more conservative compared to their grandparents, with a majority identifying as right-wing. However, a group of young Israelis called Gen Zayin is quietly promoting their anti-war, anti-government manifesto, advocating for a two-state solution and the removal of settlers from the West Bank.
Showing support for Palestinians in public can have serious repercussions, with some Jewish activists facing termination from their jobs or public reprimand. Some activists have even been doxed or forced to leave their homes by far-right groups.
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Despite the challenges, peace activists like Maoz Inon and Elana Kaminka continue to advocate for peace. Inon, who became a peace activist after losing his parents in the attack, believes in using his privilege to prevent others from suffering the same fate. Kaminka, who lost her son in the attack, believes that if Israelis were truly aware of the reality in the occupied territories, their perspectives would be different.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has put Israel’s peace movement in a difficult position. While some activists are stepping back from the public discourse, others continue to advocate for peace and a just solution for both Israelis and Palestinians.
