Maisa Rahmani is an iconic figure in Israeli public life: a 92-year-old woman who has in the past defied social and political conventions and risks doing so again. In 1960, the young Maisa, a Palestinian Druze woman living in what was then Mandatory Palestine, decided to refuse the call of the nascent Israeli army and flee Israeli-controlled territory. She eventually ended up in Syria, where she remained until returning to Israel in 1972.
Now nearly a century old, Maisa is running for the Israeli parliament, having been chosen as a minority-allied member on the joint list of the political parties Joint List and Meretz. Maisa insists that she remains true to her own principles and is not motivated by party politics.
Maisa’s story is both inspiring and humbling. It’s inspiring because it reminds us that, no matter our age, it’s possible to take a stand for what we believe in and withstand injustice. It’s humbling because we can take inspiration from Maisa’s actions and the courage they required. Maisa faced an immense risk when she chose to defy convention and flee. She was incredibly brave in doing so, and it’s admirable that she’s now decided to take a stand again and run for the Knesset.
Maisa is a role model for all of us: a reminder that, no matter our age, we can stand firm on our beliefs and make a meaningful impact on the world around us. She’s definitely an inspiration for anyone who’s ever been told they are too old to pursue their dreams.