On October 4, 2023—just three days before Hamas’ October 7th attack—thousands of women gathered at Jerusalem’s Tolerance Monument for a rally and march organized by the Israeli group Women Wage Peace and the Palestinian group Women of the Sun. “We, Palestinian and Israeli mothers, are determined to stop the vicious cycle of bloodshed,” reads the preamble to their campaign, the Mother’s Call. These organizations exemplify the many women peacebuilders on both sides who have been laboring for decades to bring peace and security to Israel and Palestine.
April 7, 2024 will mark six months since Hamas terrorists’ deadly assault on Israel that resulted in more than 1,100 deaths and more than 240 people being taken hostage. Israel declared war on Hamas, and it has led to more than 30,000 deaths in Gaza, mass displacement of the Palestinian population, and an unparalleled humanitarian crisis. The terrible milestone prompts us to reflect on the human toll of the war and the devastating impact the conflict is having on women and girls. It reinforces the urgency of incorporating women’s leadership and gender perspectives into all efforts to advance peace and security and to ensure humanitarian relief and recovery in Palestine and Israel.
The Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security joins Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia in calling for “access to humanitarian aid, the return of the hostages, and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.” We advocate for full compliance with the recent UN Security Council Resolution and call for the guaranteed safety of aid workers
continue reading: https://giwps.georgetown.edu/reflections-on-the-six-month-anniversary-of-the-conflict-in-israel-and-palestine/
