Published: 8 September 2025
Last updated: 15 September 2025
It has been a little over a year since I was kicked out of my sharehouse in Canberra for being a Zionist.
It has taken months of healing to return to the cafes I once frequented, to write my assignments in the library I used to study at, and to attend social events without the paralysing fear of bumping into my ex-housemates, my former friends.
While I tend not to look back on my stream-of-consciousness writings (usually in fear of sounding trite and pretentious), I found great catharsis in reading over a letter I sent to my former housemates after I was kicked out.
The nuance in the conversations we have about Israel since October 7 is found in context, moral equivalence and empathy for people on both sides.
This letter was an attempt to close the book on such a formative chapter of my young adult life — a chapter of hardship and helplessness that will forever be inscribed in my book of life.
Now, over one year later, I share an excerpt of that letter:
To my former housemates,
It has taken weeks of emotional distress, actual physical sickness, navigating trauma and grief to write this letter. For my own peace of mind and conscience, I wanted to write to you both to convey my perspective of that Tuesday night and how our friendships since then have been destroyed.
Being a proud supporter of the existence of the Jewish State in Israel and the Jewish people’s right to self-determination is not new for me. It has always been a part of my identity and advocacy, something which I am not quiet about.
Comments19
James Sinclair5 February at 10:12 am
Can you explain your want: “for all Palestinian people to have a home in Israel”? That reads as an erasure of the State of Palestine.
Deborah Stone2 February at 10:37 am
This article answers your question: https://thejewishindependent.com.au/when-they-ask-about-zionism – Editor
Rita Jabri Markwell1 February at 01:53 pm
I am a Lebanese Muslim Australian who has read your piece. Would you mind explaining to me how Zionism is not predicated on ethnic cleansing and erasure of Palestinians? I am genuinely interested in how you reconcile the values you speak about with being Zionist.
Jeremy Hayman12 January at 01:31 pm
Youre welcome to make Aliyah, as we did from Sydney. Kol HaKavod on using your vertebrae in the face of the spineless. As the Rev Peter Marshal, chaplain of the US senate said: “if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything”.
Ian Grinblat8 October at 06:16 am
It seems to me, Mia, that whereas your erstwhile friends have turned on you, terrified to be polluted by your ‘evil’ thoughts and beliefs, you have exhibited bravery and a wonderful resilience.
Unbowed, but unnerved, you have found new accommodation, you have bravely ventured again into the spaces that you previously shared with those snowflakes.
May every day see you feeling stronger.
Susannah23 September at 05:15 am
I am so sorry you experienced that.
Its devastating that people don’t understand what Zionism is and unfortunately, now when they research it they come to a compromised Wikipedia. The Wikipedia definition of it is inaccurate and dangerously borders on antisemitic blood libel. Therefore, it is an uphill battle. If only your housemates really knew how peaceful Judaism is and it also is a reminder- they must not have really knew you. I have questioned people (including in my family) with “You have known me my whole life, you know I am a person of good character- surely that should speak for itself.”
In any case, I share your pain and I am so sorry you went through that. It is unfair and actually discriminatory.
Peace and Shana Tova!
Greg Lowe15 September at 10:25 am
Great article. thank you for sharing
Alon12 September at 10:53 am
An amazing article, Mia. Congratulations for speaking from the heart and embracing your identity. I know there are many wary of displaying their identity because of today’s political landscape. Keep standing up for what you believe in!
Amanda Kuperman10 September at 05:09 pm
Such powerful words Mia!
Josh10 September at 02:10 am
Well said, Mia. I admire your courage and clarity with which you balance your values and humanity. Stand proud and strong.
Georgia Salkin10 September at 01:00 am
Mia, thank you for putting into words the many dilemmas and questions we have as a community and for your bravery in doing so. Such a wonderfully written and thoughtful article.
Jasmine Dindas10 September at 12:52 am
Hi Mia,
I’ve leant in my 70 years that one never knows what is coming… the plan is always just that…. A plan.
Your maturity and belief system is a credit to you and your upbringing.
The day will come… and it will come.. when your ‘friends’ will reflect and get a reality check.
Be proud and upstanding !
philip mendes9 September at 11:20 pm
Congrats Mia on the raw honesty of this article. If your housemates had opened both their heart and their intellect, they could have learnt so much from you.
Marie Lerner9 September at 05:56 pm
Mia, you are an amazing young woman. Your grandfather would have been enormously proud of you,
Don’t ever change.
Steve Israel9 September at 02:31 pm
What a wonderfully written and thoughtful article. How sad that it should take such sad circumstances to bring forth something so strong. Thank you. Just one caveat. In my humble opinion, it might be that those of us on the liberal left (both here in Israel and throughout the world) who have been wedded to the idea of the two state solution for years might need to rethink some of our assumptions. It’s worth seeking out the excellent article by Elliot Abrams that appeared about a week ago in Mosaic magazine. Abrams is a neo-conservative Republican which might not be in line with what many of us instinctively accept as our truths but he wrote an extremely convincing article critiquing the two state solution. It challenges deeply many of the natural assumptions they we tend to hold. I only mention it here because Mia mentions it in passing as what sounds like a kind of self-evident liberal truth. This is not a criticism, just a comment. But once again we thanks so much for this sensitive piece.
JL9 September at 12:59 pm
There’s no loss in your life. Just like cutting off dead leaves on a bush to promote growth of flowers. You were just shedding some dead dry weeds. You’ll be better for the experience
Simon Krite9 September at 10:19 am
Mia, your courage and clarity are inspiring. To face exclusion with such dignity and still hold space for empathy shows real strength. You remind us all what it means to stand proudly as Jews and Zionists without letting hardship harden our hearts.
Grace9 September at 09:21 am
Fantastic Mia!
Ian Light8 September at 11:04 pm
A Humane Zionist means Two States in the Ancient Holy Land .
A Jewish and Democratic State and a Human Rights Democratic Arab State .
Both have to live in Peace with their neighbours .
The Peace Forces will have to be incited by overwhelming Israeli military capacity with Geneva Convention War Rules backed by the USA the EU the United Kingdom Australia and Canada .
China Russia India South America and Indonesia have to adapt the Neutral but pro peace Stance .
Throwing a Human Rights Zionist out reflects a malevolent leaning to Forever war and Forever Human Suffering.
It is not a Safe Dwelling Form the Human Rights Two Staters Zionist Land Sharing Advocates .