Israeli and Palestinian peace builders in Australia
Two remarkable women are showing that even in the darkest times, dialogue is possible.
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.”
Their Australian tour, “Building Peace for the Day After”, will bring this vision to local audiences. It will be an opportunity for the community to ask the hardest questions: How can peace be built after so much pain?
“The tour is not just for the Jewish community,” said Melinda Jones, Australian representative of Women Wage Peace. “Peace is not a zero-sum game. Everyone will win if we work together. Everyone will lead a better life. There can be hope for a sustainable future.”
They will be speaking at events in Melbourne and Sydney, including art galleries, schools and universities.
In Sydney, there will be an event at Sydney University on September 4 at 4.30pm. In Melbourne, their main public event will be on August 31 at 6.30pm, discussing “Nonviolent Conflict Resolution: Lessons from Israeli & Palestinian Peace Builders”. It will be hosted by organisations including Women Wage Peace, FeelBeit, the Uniting Church in Australia, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Victorian Council of Churches, Pax Christi and The Wesley Centre.
To book:
Melbourne: https://events.humanitix.com/mending-our-social-fabric