Israeli female war resisters Wind and Mishly tour the US after refusing to be conscripted

In Israel today, US Envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as part of ongoing efforts to advance peace talks. Netanyahu called the 2-hour-long meeting “constructive” and agreed to continue conversations over the coming days.

Mitchell is expected to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas Friday evening. Palestinian leaders have said they won´t negotiate until the Israeli government stops settlement construction on Palestinian lands.

Meanwhile, two Israeli war resisters are currently touring the US to speak out against their country´s occupation of Palestinian territories. Maya Wind and Netta Mishly recently finished high school. They´re part of the Shministim or “twelfth grader” movement and at the age of 19 they refused the mandatory conscription into their country's military.

While ways exist to join military service and avoid serving in combat positions, the two teens chose imprisonment instead. FSRN'S Jaisal Noor caught up with Wind and Mishly on their month-long tour of the US, which they´re calling, "Why We Refuse: A National Tour of Israeli Young Women for Peace."