This past week, over 200 Israeli and Palestinian organizations, including the Alliance for Middle East Peace and many of its members, signed on to a joint statement calling on immediate action based on UN Resolution 1325. UNSCR 1325 passed in 2000, and focuses specifically on women, peace, and security. The language reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction and stresses the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security. Resolution 1325 urges all actors to increase the participation of women and incorporate gender perspectives in all United Nations peace and security efforts. It also calls on all parties to conflict to take special measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence, particularly rape and other forms of sexual abuse, in situations of armed conflict.

In light of the recent violence in May 2021, the signees assert the need for a long-term resolution that includes a renewed focus on women and the unique way that women are both affected by and resolve active conflicts. Moving beyond a desire for a temporary calm, the joint statement recognizes  the importance of Resolution 1325 and the need for increased women’s participation in the peace process. True and lasting peace can only be achieved when peacebuilding strategies are authentically inclusive and empower women peacebuilders at every level of the conflict.

Earlier this year, ALLMEP’s Regional Director Huda Abuarquob wrote in the PIJ journal about the importance of women leadership, 

“Representation of women should not be exclusive to a certain species of elite or privileged women who normally have no impact on making radical changes to the status of women in Palestine. Women can liberate themselves and others when they reconcile with their own identity and claim their place as change-makers rather than just a number in a quota.”

The signees urge the Israeli, Palestinian, and Unites States government to apply the principles of UNSCR 1325 in this pivotal time. We cannot return to business-as-usual. Moving forward, mechanisms for enacting lasting peace need to be authentically realized in the space.