[Announce-DAN] Israeli women's peace organization

[Doc Rosen <drdrdoc@dr.com>]

I recently received the following message from a friend who got it through 
Bridges.  It is from one of
hte founders of Bat Shalom, and Israeli women's peace organization with 
ongoing
close ties to Palestinian women peace activists.






Friends,

I would like to say a little about the reaction of "the left" in Israel to
the violence of the past 6 weeks.

In general, many members of the so-called peace camp, particularly those
closer to the center of it, have not raised their voices.  I am very sorry
to
report this.  This primarily refers to Peace Now as a movement, although
some
of the younger members of this movement (and several other members) have
attended the initiatives of other peace groups.

If I may speculate about the reason for this, I assume it has to do
primarily
with Peace Now not wanting to challenge the position of Barak, in fear of
getting a worse alternative -- Netanyahu or Sharon.   Secondly, I assume
that
it reflects agreement with the position that "Israel has no partner for
peace", in disappointment with Arafat's "failure to control" the ongoing
violence.

These positions do not reflect the views of those of us who continue and
have
intensified our efforts.  First, if Barak behaves this way, then he really
is
unacceptable, and we must replace him with someone else; Netanyahu and
Sharon
are not the only alternatives.  And, second, Israel's actions have only
increased Palestinian hatred and hostility; Israel cannot now claim that it
will not negotiate with people who are hostile.

While our numbers are still small - until more Israelis recognize that
ending
the occupation is the only answer - we engage in a wide range and variety
of
peace efforts inside Israel.  Besides the usual demonstrations, vigils, and
published petitions, there are condolence calls to the families of
Palestinians who were killed, humanitarian aid to Palestinian hospitals and
refugee camps, joint Jewish-Muslim-Christian prayer services, "peace tents"
set up at roadsides where people stop to express solidarity, soldiers who
refuse to serve in the territories and are jailed, and newly formed
dialogue
groups.

The Women in Black vigils have grown substantially (the one in Jerusalem is
now about 50 women every Friday, with men who also join us) and reconvened
in
several cities where they had long closed.  Extensive activity is also
visible from New Profile, Gush Shalom, Bat Shalom, Rabbis for Human Rights,
Yesh Gvul (the conscientious objectors), ecumenical groups, and others.
Human rights work continues at a more intensive level than ever by
B'Tselem,
the Moked, Adalah, Association for Civil Rights, Physicians for Human
Rights,
and others.

I must also note that considerable efforts are now directed toward a
related
internal issue - the ongoing second-class citizenship for Israel's Arab
citizens.  No fewer than 13 were killed by Israeli police during
demonstrations these past weeks, and the very legitimacy of Palestinians as
decent, law-abiding citizens of this country is being challenged by many,
including Knesset members, senior police, and government officials.  Racism
is currently rampant on this matter, and we must spare no effort to uproot
it.

A rally organized last week by the government to commemorate Yitzhak Rabin
brought 150,000 into the street.  While Barak tried to use this event to
mobilize support for himself, I am happy to report that the biggest ovation
went to Shimon Peres for his ongoing efforts for peace, over Barak's
objections.  Despite all the manufactured signs in support of Barak, they
could not prevent the crowd from chanting "Shimon, Shimon".  I hope Peace
Now
took note.

Finally, women from all the women's peace movements have joined hands to
work
together at this time.  I will close with the statement we just issued.

Shalom (eventually) from Jerusalem,

Gila Svirsky



The Age of Generals is Over -

The Time for Women Has Come!

A conference of women from a diverse range of organizations, held in
Tel-Aviv
on Wednesday, 8 November 2000, has issued the following declaration:

v    We refuse to support men or women who do military service in the
occupied territories.

v    Enough killing and being killed in the defense of settlements!

v    We did not get our children out of Lebanon so they could be sent to
fight for Netzarim and Hebron.

Signed:  Women for a Just Peace

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