Israel

Women in Israel offer perspectives critical to conflict resolution, yet they are under-utilized in efforts to promote peace and security. In 2005, the Knesset passed Amendment 4 to the Equalization of the Rights of the Women Law, requiring the implementation of UNSCR 1325 and mandating the inclusion of women in teams and committees appointed for peace negotiations and setting domestic, foreign, or security policy.  The Knesset also passed Amendment 6 to the same Law, requiring a gender review of each piece of legislation passed to evaluate how women are affected. Despite this groundbreaking legislation, Israeli women are not a significant share of those who make Israeli foreign policy decisions. Women's priorities often remain underrepresented at the highest levels of the Israeli government and military.

While Israeli women have been at the forefront of efforts to promote dialogue and conflict resolution, their perspectives on international affairs are largely absent from the public discourse. National foreign policy is viewed primarily through a narrow militaristic lens; as a result, a range of non-military issues critical to long-term peace and prosperity are insufficiently addressed. As pessimism and political obstacles to peace have grown in magnitude, so has the need for new voices in shaping Israel’s foreign policy. Achieving peace and security in Israel will require the full participation of women and the incorporation of gender perspectives into policy making.

Inclusive Security’s Work in Israel
Inclusive Security staff traveled to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in early August 2010 to continue work with Inclusive Security’s growing coalition of Israeli women leaders. Activities included strategic planning to advance Amendment 4 to the Equalization of the Rights of the Woman Law.

In March 2010, Inclusive Security’s Middle East team convened those listed on a roster of Israeli women experts available to participate in negotiations to develop a platform for advancing women’s participation. Inclusive Security also worked with UNIFEM to bring members of the International Women's Commission for a Just and Sustainable Israeli-Palestinian Peace to Washington, DC for a series of events and advocacy meetings.
 
In November 2009, Inclusive Security’s Middle East team traveled to Jerusalem to host the first meeting of experts listed on the Inclusive Security roster of Israeli women technical experts. Participants agreed that they could work together to change the discourse and would like to continue meeting.

In June 2008, Inclusive Security held a consultation of Israeli and Palestinian women leaders to strategize around increasing the role of women in negotiations. The Institute also helped organize screenings of "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" in Ramallah and Jerusalem to energize the public around women's inclusion in peace processes. 

In 2005, The Institute provided financial and programmatic support for the US launch of the International Women's Commission for a Just and Sustainable Palestinian-Israeli Peace (IWC). It also provided programmatic support more recently to the IWC, organizing high-level advocacy in Washington, DC in November 2007 and March 2010. At the invitation of UNIFEM and the IWC, Carla Koppell, director of the Institute, participated in an August 2008 strategic planning meeting for IWC members. In October 2008, Ambassador Swanee Hunt, chair of the Institute, advised IWC members in conjunction with their visit to speak to UN Security Council members. 

In 2004, with Harvard University’s Women and Public Policy Program, Inclusive Security brought together a dozen women Israeli and Palestinian leaders in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for a one-week dialogue on how women could play a greater role in efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  That gathering resulted in several years of continued meetings facilitated by the US Department of State.

Inclusive Security Consultations and Trainings

March 2010 Consultations with women peace builders in Jerusalem 

November 2009 Consultations with women peace builders in Jerusalem
   


Directory of Women Peace Experts

Learn more about Waging member Eti Livni and other Israeli members of the Women Waging Peace Network.

Press Releases & Media Coverage

Leaders from Afghanistan, Colombia, Haiti, Israel, Liberia and Palestine to Convene in Cambridge, Mass. and Washington, D.C.
December 12, 2007

Israeli and Palestinian Women Peace Activists Further the Drive for Peace
November 1, 2007

Conflict Background
BBC Country Profile
International Crisis Group reports
United States Institute of Peace

For more information on Inclusive Security’s work in Israel, please contact Allison Shean or Rebecca Miller.

(updated April 2010)