Jerusalem’s Independence Park was filled with over 30,000 Israelis and Palestinians Sunday at a rally organized by ALLMEP member Women Wage Peace.
The rally was the culmination of the Women Wage Peace “Peace Walk” across Israel, which began two weeks ago. The march brought together thousands from all economic, political, and ethnic backgrounds towards the goal of peace.
This rally was the second major annual event for the Women Wage Peace, which was founded three years ago after the 2014 war in Gaza. The movement is focused on impacting decision-makers in order to lead to a peace agreement between Israel and Palestine. To draw attention to their cause, the movement is working towards creating a critical mass of supporters and members from different political, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.
Their unique approach to peacebuilding through inclusivity udaas strengthened the movement’s message, “We will not stop until there is a peace agreement.” Without backing a specific diplomatic agreement, the movement hopes to garner attention from a diverse mass of people to join them in their pursuit of peace as they continue to hold events like Sunday’s rally.
The rally was highlighted by multiple speakers, including ALLMEP Regional Director Huda Abuarqoub, who stated:
This year, we women of Israel and Palestine promise we will not stop until this conflict ends once and for all….To the people of this land, the change we seek will only come when we open our hearts and acknowledge each other on equal grounds. We know our needs are mutual and cannot be served on the expense of others and when we believe firmly in our humanity, our humanity is tested everyday on this land, so let’s not lose our humanity.
Read more:
Ha’aretz: 30,000 Israelis, Palestinians Take Part in Women Wage Peace Rally in Jerusalem
Washington Post: Thousands of women march for Israeli-Palestinian peace
CNN: Israeli, Palestinian women join peace march through desert
+972: Thousands of Israeli, Palestinian women ‘wage peace’ in the desert
Jerusalem Post: Thousands of Women Call on Israeli, PA Leaders to Make Peace
Times of Israel: Israeli-Palestinian women’s peace march exposes Palestinian divides
ABC News: Thousands of women march for Israeli-Palestinian peace
Reuters: Women march through desert for Israeli-Palestinian peace
Jewish Women’s Archive: Can We Talk Episode 16: Women Wage Peace
i24news: Women peace activists arrive in Jerusalem after two-week march
France 24: Women march to Jerusalem to ask for peace
Deutsche Welle: Israeli, Palestinian women march together for peace
Sud Ouest (French): Palestinian and Israeli women march hand in hand for peace
Kirkko ja kaupunki (Finnish): Women in peace have become a phenomenon in Israel
Salom (Turkish): Thousands of Israeli and Palestinian women march for peace
