Palestinian & Israeli Women Express What They Are Willing to Do to End the Conflict

At the end of February and beginning of March, OneVoice organized parallel events in Palestine and Israel focused on the role of women in ending the conflict.

At the refugee camp in Jenin, OneVoice Palestine gathered around 200 women for the event. There, they expressed their willingness to participate for the sake of their children and the freedom of their people, and sent a message to all Israeli women asking for the same dedication and partnership in ending the conflict.

In parallel, OneVoice Israel hosted a women’s event in Tel Aviv. As in Jenin, the Israeli women discussed the necessity of working toward a two-state solution and an end to the conflict. Both the Palestinian and the Israeli events are part of OneVoice’s ongoing “What Are You Willing to Do?” Campaign which seeks to mobilize Israelis and Palestinians on a monthly basis, each time highlighting a different constituency.

To view photos from the events, please click here.

Comments

[Deloris]

I am so glad to see that there are some willing to actually do what they say they will. I am so proud of these women who are ACTIVELY seeking a two-state (nation) union, and are trying to show all the world that peace can exist in a long time hot-bed!

Bravo!!!!

[Ahlam Akram]

I am a Peace and Human rights Campaigner.. for the past 6 years I have channeled all my energy and effort to advocate the rights of people. Palestinians and Jewish to live in peace and security within Israel/Palestine or all over the world equal to any other human being in this global village.. Yes I support each and every action that comes from Women on the two sides of the wall.. Because I believe that women are the ones who would create the change necessary to build peace.. women are the bearer of life.. and who give life.. they are and should be the protector of the lives of their loved ones.. and I can feel the yarn’s of the Palestinians women for this long wanted peace.. as well as I can see the clear picture of what this peace will entail for them .. 2 States along the green line.. with Jerusalem as the capital for Both people.. or even an international city open to all people from all over the world.. I can see no illusions about destroying Israel.. as Israel is a reality and internationally recognized, and women on both sides do not want more wars or waste of the lives of loved ones.. and I can see Israeli women genuinely calling for peace and wanting peace .. but unfortunately without the same clarity.. not to a fault of their own .. but because their governments have been continuously creating new facts on the grounds.. new settlements.. new roads for settlers only.. and the barrier to secure its citizens ..Yes Israel have all rights to protect it self from desperate acts of violence that went blindly inside Tel Aviv but that right for security should not be justified by taking more land . more water.. starving the Palestinian people and humiliating them for the basics of their lives..
Yes the women MUST work together and influence any where and every where . lets hear their cry for peace and for justice for both people.. it is better than the silence of Israeli government ..
One voice stand with both peoples rights. should be encouraged to project all joint work coming from the two people who have one aim.. end the occupation ..based on our humanity and on our religious values of understanding and forgiveness .. well if any thing it project a humane face for both people whose politicians have succeeded in dehumanize them for their political glory for the past 60 years.. if even for that alone One voice should be supported and encouraged…

Ahlam Akram
Peace and human rights Campaigner ..

[Amy Katz]

Am hoping more women-directed events are in the works. Am hoping that they won't be in the weeks before Pesakh next time, though LOL ...

But seriously we women have an enormous role to play in changing the energy of the discussions in our homes and in our communities. Am thinking that since the men don't seem to get this dialogue/peace business off the ground, it just might be up to us.

Am interested also in religious women on both sides coming together as well. We (religious women) are speaking the same language in a spiritual sense, and from that perspective, we should learn to work together.

I have no clue how to get there, though. Am not an organizaer. So anyone else?