When envisioning a newfangled political-activist movement, it is unlikely that a female boarding school would be among the imagery your brain might conjure. But sure enough, perched atop a hillside in Israel’s West Bank in the settlement of Ma’ale Levona, sits a girls boarding school that is not only shaping the struggle between Israel and the Palestinians, but also among Israelis themselves.

After stumbling upon an article on the school from 2009, writer Elizabeth Rubin and photographer Gillian Laub trekked out to the West Bank for Tablet Magazine, to spend time with some of the students and recent graduates. What resulted is a stunning series of classically composed portraits of the women, ranging from 14 to 19-years-old, who ironically are known for slinging mud at riot police during protests.

To see Rubin’s story along with the rest of the 11 portraits published in Tablet Magazine, click here.