On the shores of the Dead Sea in October 2023, approximately 1,500 Israeli and Palestinian women gathered, holding hands in a call for an end to what they described as a “vicious cycle of bloodshed.” The rally, organized jointly by the Israeli movement Women Wage Peace and the Palestinian group Women of the Sun, drew participants from villages, settlements, and refugee camps across the region.
A Fragile Hope Interrupted
Two of the rally’s organizers, Yael Admi, 66, an Israeli mother of six, and Reem al-Hajajreh, 43, a Palestinian mother of four, had hoped their message would resonate amidst decades of violence and mistrust. However, just three days after the event, Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, resulting in 1,200 deaths. This was followed by a reported genocidal war by Israel on Gaza, which, according to reports, has led to more than 70,000 deaths, with the majority being women and children.
“It was like a punch in the gut,” Admi said, with al-Hajajreh nodding in agreement. Both women faced criticism for continuing their collaboration in the wake of the October 7th attacks, which al-Hajajreh described as having a “devastating impact” on their lives.
Challenges to Peacebuilding
Al-Hajajreh, who resides in Bethlehem in the West Bank, highlighted the difficulties of simply traveling to international forums to advocate for peace. Reaching The Hague for the Women and Peace conference in December required over 30 hours of travel, including navigating multiple checkpoints with unpredictable wait times of six to seven hours each. She described this uncertainty as an “emotional burden” regularly faced by Palestinians.
The women have also experienced personal loss. Vivian Silver, 74, an Israeli-Canadian peace activist and founder of Women Wage Peace, was among those killed in the October 7th attacks. Admi noted the loss of Silver and three other activists from their group, as well as over 40 Palestinian women from Women of the Sun.
A Mother’s Plea for Change
Despite the grief and backlash, Admi and al-Hajajreh remain committed to urging global leaders to include women in peace negotiations. Admi, who lost her brother in the 1969 fighting between Egypt and Israel, stated that their losses have driven them to pursue peace, emphasizing a desire to protect their children from becoming either victims or perpetrators of violence.
They have now launched “Mothers’ Call,” a joint Israeli-Palestinian movement calling for “courage and vision” to achieve lasting change. As part of this effort, they plan to walk barefoot from Rome to Jerusalem in March 2026, inviting world leaders and women to join them in advocating for peace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the initial gathering of Israeli and Palestinian women at the Dead Sea?
Approximately 1,500 Israeli and Palestinian women gathered at the Dead Sea in October 2023 for a mass peace rally organized by Women Wage Peace and Women of the Sun, calling for an end to the “vicious cycle of bloodshed.”
How did the events of October 7th impact the work of Admi and al-Hajajreh?
The Hamas attack on southern Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza had a “devastating impact” on their lives and led to criticism for continuing to work together, but they remained committed to their joint peace efforts.
What is “Mothers’ Call”?
“Mothers’ Call” is a joint Israeli-Palestinian women’s movement launched by Admi and al-Hajajreh, urging leaders to “show courage and vision to bring about” historic change and advocating for the inclusion of women in peace negotiations.
Given the deep-seated grief and ongoing conflict, what role do you believe grassroots movements like Mothers’ Call can play in fostering a path towards lasting peace?
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