On October 24, 2009, three courageous women -Christian, Jewish, Muslim-will share their poignant histories of how the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has changed their lives forever. They will offer perspectives for building peace in the region.

Each has lived through the decades of violence and failed attempts at peace in the region. They will speak from their perspectives as mothers, wives and daughters, each one of them having experienced personal tragedy and loss. Their witness is compelling: in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict women and children are the ones who suffer most!

Sponsored by Partners for Peace and the ‘National Jerusalem Women Speak’ tour, the three women have spoken to numerous audiences and have been enthusiastically received. Their personal action demonstrates that even in the midst of the present conflict and hatred, Israelis and Palestinians of good will can travel together seeking to “build Peace through Faith and Dialogue.” If there is to be a lasting and just peace, then it is ordinary everyday people, such as these, who will make it happen.

The three speakers are:

  • Ruth El-Raz– an Israeli Jewish psychotherapist and artist, a founding member of Women in Black, an organization of women who have lost loved ones in the conflict,
  • Jala Basil Andoni– a Palestinian Christian retired teacher from Beit Sahour near Jerusalem, and
  • Hekmat Besisso-Naji – a Palestinian Muslim social worker and community trainer in non-violence from Ramallah, formerly from Gaza.

The women will speak on Saturday, October 24, 2009 during the HCEF Conference which will be held at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, 3900 Harewood Road, NE, Washington DC.

16th Jerusalem Women Speak Tour 2009’s schedule

https://www.partnersforpeace.org/tours/16th-jerusalem-women-speak-tour-2009/