Dear Readers,
Last week, reflecting on the horrific violence we’re witnessing, I referenced the work of one of the many women-led organizations, Women Wage Peace, dedicated to peace making in a region where peace has been intermittent and securing a peaceful co-existence seems all the more improbable at this time. As the violence escalates, so does the fearful speculation about where it could lead.
I received many responses to last week’s posting, many reflecting the helplessness and hopelessness that is easy to feel about this long term conflict. But we cannot give up hope, and we cannot give up the call for a pathway to peace.
This week, among the many strong statements made by global organizations about the current situation, I was particularly inspired by the one published by The Elders, an organization of global leaders who are "working for peace, justice, human rights and a sustainable planet."
The board of The Elders together at their most recent bi-annual board meeting in Seoul, May 2023. (Instagram)
The current chair of The Elders, founded in 2007 by Nelson Mandela, is former president of Ireland Mary Robinson, who is also a ConnectedWomenLeaders colleague, a mentor, and a friend. Other Elders include Deputy Chair Ban-Ki Moon, Deputy Chair Graça Machel, pioneering lawyer and pro-democracy campaigner Hina Jilani, and former president of Liberia and Nobel Peace laureate Ellen Sirleaf Johnson, among others.
Here’s their statement:
Palestinian and Israeli lives must be valued equally in global response to crisis, Elders warn
October 25, 2023
The Elders condemn the horrendous terror attacks launched by Hamas on 7 October 2023, the killing of innocent civilians, the holding of hostages and the continued indiscriminate missile attacks on Israel. These are mass atrocities for which the perpetrators must be brought to justice, preferably in a court of law.
We also condemn the Israeli government’s unacceptable collective punishment of the population of Gaza through siege, the scale of the military assault and its death toll, and the forcible transfer of civilians within the territory, as well as the continuing land and home incursions and demolitions in the West Bank and settler violence against Palestinian communities. These are not legitimate acts of self-defence: they are clear violations of international humanitarian law, and some amount to atrocities for which there needs to be criminal accountability.
The Palestinian and Israeli peoples are intertwined by history, geography and legacies of sacrifice and suffering. The current crisis has sparked unimaginable pain and trauma on both sides which demands the world’s compassion and respect. Israeli and Palestinian lives are of equal worth.
History, morality and political experience compel us to send this clear message: one set of crimes must not be responded to with more crimes.
As President Biden has warned, Israel must not repeat the mistakes made by the United States after the Al Qaeda terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, the worst of which was the invasion of Iraq. Trying to defeat terrorism only through military action is more often than not a terrible mistake that leads to more terrorism, extremism and violence. A ground incursion by Israeli troops into Gaza could cause massive civilian casualties on top of the thousands of lives already lost, and risks inflaming a wider regional escalation of the conflict.
The cycles of violence and impunity must be broken, and the international community must be clear that all those accused of atrocity crimes on both sides should be held criminally accountable.
Leaders have for too long abdicated their responsibilities towards this conflict. All parties share the blame for extinguishing hope. Thirty years after the Oslo accords, there is now an absence of any political horizon towards a two-state solution that can end Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and guarantee Israel’s security.
Leaders cannot continue to view this conflict primarily through the prism of geopolitical divisions rather than the values of the UN Charter. That the UN Security Council has so far been unable to agree on a resolution, and call for a ceasefire as thousands of lives are being lost, is a failure to fulfil its fundamental duty.
As Elders, we call for an immediate ceasefire, the restoration of essential water, food, medical and fuel supplies into Gaza, and the release of all hostages held by Hamas.
The normalisation of relations between Israel and some Arab states cannot succeed unless Palestinian self-determination and statehood are central. In this regard, reviving the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, and implementing the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, offers a viable path towards regional stability and reconciliation.
Today’s dark hour must be a catalyst for change.
As Elders, we stand with those who embrace political dialogue and justice through law, and hold firm to the values of human rights and peaceful co-existence.
Organizations You Can Support
Americares
Rush an urgent gift right now to help deliver medicine, supplies and emergency funding to support people affected by crises worldwide.
CARE
CARE works around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty and achieve social justice. We seek a world of hope, inclusion and social justice, where poverty has been overcome and all people live with dignity and security. Make a donation.
The Carter Center
In a statement, The Carter Center "calls upon the international community to engage actively in building peace in the region. The urgency for a robust and renewed peace process has never been greater. There is not a military solution to the crisis – only a political one. Make a donation.
MADRE
MADRE works toward a world where women and people who are marginalized fully participate in shaping policies and decision making, their expertise and leadership is recognized and upheld, and they equitably hold power and resources within their communities. “Aid is trickling into Gaza, but it’s a small fraction of what is needed. MADRE and our partners are doing everything we can to provide humanitarian relief now.” Make a donation.
Women Wage Peace
WWP’s theory of change refracts the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and its resolution, through a gendered lens. Founded in the aftermath of the 50-day Gaza War/Operation Protective Edge of 2014, Women Wage Peace (WWP) has grown to 45,000 Israeli members, the largest grassroots peace movement in Israel today. Make a donation.
At times like these, when there is so much violence and people are suffering so greatly, I hold onto the famous quote from The Elder’s founder, Nelson Mandela:
“It only seems impossible until it is done.”
Peace must continue to be uplifted as a possibility until it is done.
Onward!
- Pat
