MEDIA ADVISORY
March 13, 2025 – Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) Vancouver is proud to host two Israeli war resisters, Tal Mitnick and Einat Gerlitz, as part of their nationwide “Refuseniks” tour. These courageous young activists are sharing their stories across Canada, shedding light on their bold decision to refuse military service in protest of Israel’s occupation of Palestine and its ongoing violence in Gaza. Joining them in Vancouver is renowned physician and author Dr. Gabor Maté, a member of IJV.
Mitnick and Gerlitz are leading figures in a growing wave of dissent among Israeli youth challenging the brutal military occupation and advocating for Palestinian liberation. Their refusal has come at a cost—both served time in Israeli military prisons for their refusal to participate in what they call a violent system that perpetuates apartheid and genocide. Their actions have sparked a global conversation about the vital role of war resisters in the fight for human rights and a free Palestine.
About the Speakers:
Tal Mitnick (19) was the first conscientious objector to refuse military service after October 7, 2023. He served 185 days in military prison and has since mobilized a mass youth refusal letter signed by over 250 teenagers, naming the occupation as the root of rising fascism in Israel. Currently he is organizing and supporting future conscientious objectors.
Einat Gerlitz (21), is a queer Israeli activist, and conscientious objector. Going from a queer youth movement to climate activism, Einat gained political conscious and became a human rights activist. At 19, in 2022, she refused to serve in the Israeli military and was sentenced to 87 days in military prison. She has since presented on conscientious objection at the UN. Since then she has been involved in various avenues of the struggle against the occupation in the ‘48 borders and the West Bank.
Dr. Gabor Maté, a Holocaust survivor, Order of Canada recipient, and creator of the “Compassionate Inquiry” psychotherapeutic approach, is a Hungarian-Canadian physician (retired), bestselling author published in 43 languages, known for his work on trauma, stress and childhood development. Once identified as a Zionist, he now openly criticizes Israel’s ongoing occupation of Palestinian lands, including the oppression, expulsion and massacres of Palestinians. He visited Occupied Palestine, and witnessed the depredations of Israeli occupation on several occasions. He believes that acknowledging historical context is crucial to understand the current conflict to move forward towards a peace just to both Jews and Palestinians.
This tour is organized in collaboration with the Mesarvot Network, an Israeli initiative supporting young Israeli war resisters and building solidarity with Palestinian and global resistance movements.
The Refusenik Tour, which has already visited cities across Canada, arrives in Vancouver on March 21 and 22, 2025, before continuing to Vancouver Island.
Media Kit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KAr_g4E-aHLQ3JPcUYlGW_WDVR0J5jUk_lF2VqclJ64/edit?usp=sharing