Women can play a pivotal role as leaders of peace negotiations - opinion

• Published date: 05 April 2024
• Author: ROMY LEIBLER/THE MEDIA LINE
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

For more stories from The Media Line go to themedialine.org

In seeking to understand the ramifications of the October 7 events and the ongoing Gaza war on these movements, I interviewed members of Women Wage Peace, Naama Barak and Peta Pelech—an Australian immigrant like myself—and Marwa Hammad of Women of the Sun. Their shared goal? To forge peace through dialogue, envisioning a future free from the shadows of Israeli-Palestinian violence for their descendants.

Their strategy emphasizes dialogue as the means to transcend the current deadlock. They acknowledge that neither side will eliminate the other nor persuade the other of their narrative's justice. They advocate for a shift away from the blame game and inflammatory language. Instead of terms like "ending the occupation," they speak of "ending the conflict," focusing on constructive, forward-looking discourse.

The assumption might be that the movements would retreat and reassess their strategies in light of recent hostilities. Yet, the reality is quite the contrary. Despite the grief and loss experienced on both sides, and amid rising political tensions evidenced by shifting public opinions on a two-state solution and support for Hamas, the need for dialogue and cooperation has never been more urgent. This is a sentiment echoed by Hammad, who yearns for an end to hostilities.

Women Wage Peace boasts over 50,000 members from a broad Israeli societal spectrum, advocating for peace without prescribing a specific resolution. Women of the Sun reports 3,000 members in the West Bank and 300 in Gaza, of whom around 30 have been killed in the current fighting.

This disparity reflects differences between the two societies and the challenges they face. Israel is a vibrant democracy valuing free speech, where the majority would favor a two-state solution if circumstances allowed. Conversely, in Palestinian society most are taught to reject Jewish sovereignty and hope for Israel's eventual destruction. Israel boasts a long history of peace activism, whereas Palestinians have often sought to delegitimize Israel and reject most forms of normalization, though they will work in Israel if it is economically beneficial to do so.

Each movement's motivation and perspective on the current situation reflect their distinct historical narratives of the conflict.

Does not label itself left-wing or pacifist

Women Wage Peace rejects the label "left-wing" and denies being pacifist. Its members tend to believe Hamas' military...