Israeli and Palestinian peace builders in Australia

In the aftermath of October 7, 2023, many have lost faith in peace. The brutality of Hamas and the devastating war in Gaza that has followed has left deep wounds.

But two remarkable women, Riman Barakat and Peta Jones Pellach, are showing that even in the darkest times, dialogue is possible. They are visiting Australia to share their stories and vision for non-violent conflict resolution.

Barakat, a Palestinian Muslim from East Jerusalem, is co-director of FeelBeit, a unique Israeli-Palestinian cultural centre that uses art to build trust. She is recognised internationally for her advocacy of non-violence and women’s leadership in peacebuilding.

Jones Pellach, born in Australia and now living in Israel, is a senior member of Women Wage Peace, the largest grassroots peace movement in Israel. Working alongside Palestinian women, she campaigns for governments to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1325, ensuring women are at the centre of peace negotiations.

Both women see themselves as part of the legacy of Vivien Silver, the Canadian-Israeli peace activist and Women Wage Peace co-founder who was murdered on October 7. Silver’s mantra was simple: “Look among the women. We don’t need violence. We don’t want violence.”