FIRE sent out a press release to all the contacts listed by the Coalition for Women for a Just Peace on their website, as well as throughout FIRE's own distribution networks in Spanish and English. We received 34 letters from participants in these vigils, as well as persons who had listened to our 3-hour marathon broadcast on June 8th:
1. Israel: Dear Friends, what
you are doing is very exciting and we will be thrilled to do anything we
can to help you from here by participating in the webcast. We would
like to inform all the 145 vigils around the world about your initiative,
so we need more details. Could you please send us more information and
suggestions on what is the best way for the vigils worldwide to be represented.
Then, we'll send it to the women in charge of the media in each vigil,
and she will take it from there. Debby Lerman,
debbyl@actcom.co.il, Coalition's Media Group
2. Israel: FIRE: I am a member
of the coalition and was elected to coordinate the work with you and the
FIRE group. My email address as well as my mobile number are below. It
may be best to call and finalize the details. Here are the things I need
to know:1) What are the exact times you want our women to call?2) How many
speakers you need for each call 3) What language? Is English ok or else
how many Spanish speakers you will need?Please answer ASAP so that I can
arrange it for tomorrow morning. Also, will be good if you can send a phone
number that I can call for last minute clarifications.Enclosed is the Israeli
coalition "identity paper". Looking forward to hear from you, Smadar
Nehabsnehab@netvision.net.il
3. Hawai`i: We will be standing at
a busy intersection near the university. We will be handing out a one page
flier that describes Women in Black and explains our political goals. Our
signs will be say things like "Stop the Israeli occupation of the West
Bank and Gaza" because if we only say "Stop the occupation" it will be
unclear. Many people here will assume we are talking about the colonial
presence in Hawai`i itself, and while that is also a very worthwhile struggle,
we are asking people to attend to the horrible violence in Israel/Palestine.
I initiated this vigil because I have family in Israel and I am horrified
by the effect of the violence on Israelis and Palestinians alike. I have
a nephew in the army, and two more who will soon be inducted. There is
no way to stop the violence, no way to save my nephews and other Israeli
and Palestinian children from this horror, except to end the occupation
itself, remove the settlers from the West Bank and Palestine, and create
a viable Palestinian homeland. Sincerely, Kathy E. Ferguson, Honolulu,
Hawai`i
4. México: I will send you
a letter that explains what the Women in Black of Mexico have organized
here for the 8th of June. Maybe I can send you a recording in Real
Audio or MP3, because--if it will help you--to put it on the radio that
de, but tomorrow we will know more of what is going to happen. Now
I want to tell you that I have an interview with Hagar Roublev, a funder
of the Women in Black, who died very young, and that I made in Yugoslavia
just days after the bombing of the OTA, at the meeting of the Women in
Black there. It seems very interesting that people see and here the
story in the voices of these women. The plaza where they are going
to do the vigil in Jerusalem is now called Plaza Hagar. We should
put a link to the web addres so that you can see it if you wish at:
http://creatividadfeminista.org/hagar_video/fr_hagar.htm. Also in
the Feminist Creativity group, en the section on Actions for Peace, there
is an interview with Leppa, another Woman in Black of Yugoslavia (you know
her, I'm sure), that can help show what they have done there during the
war, and the way that have broken through the nationalism and so on.
Feel free to copy and use it on FIRE and to make a link, also with the
video. A hug to you all, Ximena Bedregal. (Translated
from Spanish).
5. Philadelphia , USA: Jewish Mobilization
for a Just Peace Principles of Unity Jewish Mobilization for a Just Peace
is a working group of Jews Uniting for Social Justice, a grassroots organization
in Philadelphia. As American Jews, we are profoundly committed to the safety
and well-being of our people, in Israel and elsewhere in the world.
We do not accept, however, that Jewish survival depends on unconditional
support for the Israeli government and its
policies. Further, we reject the ideology that any and all criticism
of Israeli government policies or of Zionism is inherently anti-Semitic.
We recognize the reality of modern anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish sentiment
and its danger to Jewish communities worldwide. We firmly believe, however,
that the future safety and survival of Jews everywhere rests on our ability
to live in peace with our neighbors and depends upon our working to ensure
justice and security for all people.
We believe that a just and lasting peace cannot exist without:
· Respect for the human rights of everyone
in the region, including Jews, Palestinians, other Arabs, foreign workers,
and others; · A complete Israeli withdrawal from all territories
occupied in 1967, including the evacuation of settlements, military outposts,
and supporting infrastructure that serves to perpetuate the continued military
occupation of Palestinian lands and to create an impediment to a just peace;
· An immediate end to Israeli government practices that violate
human rights and international law, including collective punishment, demolition
of homes, arbitrary arrests, torture, the closure and encirclement of villages
and communities, and travel restrictions; · Adherence to the rule
of law, including international legal norms and
conventions, by all parties in the region; · The rights of all
Israelis and Palestinians to self-determination; · Freedom from
violence and terror for all people in the region; · A shared Jerusalem;
· Equitable distribution of critical natural resources, including
water, oil, gas, and electric power; · Recognition of Israel's share
of responsibility for the results of the 1948 war and a just solution for
Palestinian refugees; · A critical examination of the U.S. role
in perpetuating the conflict
between Israelis and Palestinians; · Promotion of a culture
of peaceful coexistence through social,
governmental, and educational institutions.
One of our goals is to provide a constructive environment within the
American Jewish community for exploring questions about the meaning of
peace with justice. As a group we represent a range of positions on Zionism
and include people who are not sure where they stand. We believe that this
diversity of viewpoints is necessary and positive, and we welcome all who
share the unifying principles of our organization. Jewish
Mobilization for a Just Peace • Philadelphia • jmjp_philly@yahoo.com
6. Jerusalem: WHY ARE WE HERE?
We are outraged at the escalating violence and 34 years of Israeli occupation,
and we are here in solidarity with the Women in Black in Israel.On the
ninth of January, 1988 in West Jerusalem seven Israeli women dressed in
black began a weekly one hour silent vigil. They were soon joined by other
Israeli and Palestinian women. Their message was: End the Occupation. Thirteen
years later Women in Black has become a universal peace movement of women
worldwide. During those thirteen years they were the object of ridicule
and insults by most Israelis. Finally the Women In Black have received
recognition for their perseverance, in the form of newspaper coverage in
Israel of the Palestinian side of issues related to the Intifada, and since
1991 Women in Black have won the Aachen Peace Prize; the peace award from
San Giovanni d'Asso in Italy; the Jewish Peace Fellowship's "Peacemaker
Award"; and lastly on March 8, 2001, the international movement of
Women in Black was honored with the Millennium Peace Prize for Women, awarded
by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). Women dress
in black, symbolizing the tragedy of the victims of violence. What unites
us all is our commitment to justice and a world free of violence. Israeli
and Palestinian peace activists are marking the 34th year of Israel's occupation
since the 1967 war by a series of public actions in Israel, Palestine,
and cities throughout the world. Amass vigil of Women in Black, joined
by men dressed in black will be held on Friday, June 8, 2001, in West Jerusalem,
Israel.
7. Portland, USA: Women in Black are marking this event on Wednesday June 6, 2001 in concert with our ongoing weekly vigils calling for an end to the occupation.
PRESS RELEASE, June 4, 2001
A CALL TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OF CONSCIENCE
This June, peace activists will be marking the 34th year of Israel's
occupation by a series of public actions in Israel, Palestine, and cities
throughout the world. On June 6, 2001, the Women in Black in Portland will
start off the world wide observance at Pioneer Courthouse Square with a
vigil from 11:30 am to 1:30pm.
On or about June 8, 2001, women and men from all over the world are
planning to hold "Women in Black" vigils that call for an immediate end
to the occupation. 120 Vigils are planned including the United States,
Italy, Australia, France, Canada, and many more are now forming. From Adelaide
to Zurich, from Ankara to Washington, from Jerusalem to the Maldive Islands,
the voice of this movement calls out its message: Women and men of
conscience, regardless of their race, religion or nationality,
will not be silent in the face of oppression. The liberation
of the Palestinian people with a state of its own is not only the moral
solution, but one that serves the best interests of Israel as well. Organized
by the Coalition of Women for a Just Peace whose member organizations include
Women in Black, Bat Shalom, Mothers and Women for Peace and WILPF, Israel
Chapter. Local contacts: Americans United for Palestinian Human Rights
<auphr@msn.com>
International: Bat Shalom <www.batshalom.org>; Email <batshalo@netvision.net.il>
8. Los Angeles, USA: I'm writing from Los Angeles. My name is Tirza Haviv, I'm an economist, and one of the organizers here. I was born in Israel to parents who came from Austria. Most of my family was killed in the holocaust in Germany and Austria. My father was 5 years a prisoner of war in Germany, he was part of the Jewish Brigade (in the British army). I was always amazed at the world that did very little to help my people. I do not want to be part of a silent world when the Israeli government abuses the Palestinians human rights. I'm an American Israeli humanistic woman. I also believe that in order to achieve a just and stable peace, and stop the violence, Israel must end the occupation. A peace agreement which will allow a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel will provide security to both nations, and enable them to live in peaceful co-existence. I really believe that many Jews need to overcome their natural fear because of their history, and understand that Palestinian rights and statehood does not contradict the future and the wellbeing of the people of Israel.
Other members of the LA Women In Black organizing group include Wendy Smith a Linguistic professor, Yael Korin PHD in Biology, Karin Pally Urban planner, and my daughter Ayana Haviv who studies for her PHD in Anthropology in UCLA. We also have our men, Yossi Khen a computer programmer who is a peace activist for more than 20 years and spend time in military jail for refusing to serve in the occupied territories, and Jeff Shubik an engineer. Please see our attached press release.
MAY 31, 2001. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WHEN: June 8, 2001 7pm to 9 pm
WHERE: Federal Building in Westwood (Veteran and Wilshire)
WOMEN IN BLACK WORLDWIDE VIGILS ON JUNE 8 CALL FOR AN END TO THE ISRAELI
OCCUPATION OF THE WEST BANK AND GAZA AND SUPPORT A JUST PEACE BETWEEN ISRAEL
AND PALESTINE. WE CALL FOR IMMEDIATE INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION FOR THE PALESTINIANS,
AND AN END TO THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE.
PRESS RELEASE.
On June 8, 2001, women and men in 105 cities around the world from
West Jerusalem to Mexico City, from Los Angeles, CA, to Syracuse, NY will
stand up for human rights, justice and peace by protesting 34 years of
Israel's illegal occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.
The unprecedented military force being used by the Israeli Defense Forces
in the Occupied Territories to suppress the Palestinian uprising against
the occupation has been condemned by Amnesty International, the U.S. State
Department, the Mitchell Commission, Physicians for Human Rights, B’Tselem
(The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories),
Peace NOW, Human Rights Watch and the U.N. Human Rights Commission. We
are calling for a just peace based on the rights of the Palestinian people
to establish their own state alongside Israel in peaceful co-existence.
We are calling for an immediate international peacekeeping force to protect
the Palestinians. As people of conscience, we protest the policies and
actions of the current extreme right-wing government of Israel. We believe
that the only way to stop the cycle of violence is to end the occupation,
and remove the settlements from the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
We are calling upon the government of the US to use its power to ensure
a just peace as the only way to stop the cycle of violence. Every Friday
since 1988, Jewish and Arab women have stood in Israeli cities and at the
crossroads of major highways holding signs in Hebrew and Arabic calling
for peace. They don black clothing and raise a black sign in the shape
of a hand with white lettering that reads “Stop the Occupation”. Similar
groups have sprung up around the world in solidarity. Women in Black has
become a movement of women of conscience of all denominations and nationalities
who hold vigils to protest violence in their part of the world. In 1991,
the movement of Women in Black in Israel won the Aachen Peace Prize and,
in 1994, the peace award of the city of San Giovanni d'Asso in Italy.
In 2001, the international movement of Women in Black was awarded the Millennium
Peace Prize for Women, given by the United Nations Development Fund for
Women (UNIFEM). The Israeli and Serbian Women In Black organizations
have just been nominated for the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize. This international
protest was initiated and organized by the Coalition of Women for a Just
Peace, an umbrella organization of ten Israeli women’s peace organizations.
Web site of the Coalition of Women for a Just Peace: http://www.geocities.com/womancoalition/
(in the process of being updated with more vigils)
9. Brussels, Belgium: MIDDLE EAST:WOMEN DEMONSTRATE AGAINST THE OCCUPATION: In view of the seriousness of present events in the Middle East to mark the 34th anniversary of the 1967 war and Israel's occupation of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and the Arab part of Jerusalem. Several associations representing Israeli and Palestinian women are organising major demonstrations involving women dressed in black. The event will take place on 8 June 2000, at midday, in several Israeli and Palestinian cities and towns. The aim of the event is to protest against the occupation. These associations have made a call for a world chain of solidarity to be formed. They would like similar demonstrations be held throughout the world.
Brussels is participating in this world solidarity chain. The rally
we are participating in will take place on Friday, 8 June from 12.30 p.m.
to 13.30 p.m., Place de la Monnaie, Brussels Let us break the silence
!
Come and join us, women and men, preferably dressed in black,
in voicing our demands:
*Stop the occupation; *No more spilling of blood ! Restart the
negotiations; *Jerusalem : capital of the two States; *Israel
Palestine : 1967 borders; *Women at the negotiating table; *For an
international peacekeeping force.
Thérèse Mangot, Heddy Riss, Renée Mousset,
Fatiha Saidi, Nadia Farkh, Larissa Gruszow Simone Susskind, Informations
: 00 32 475 733238
10. Milano, Italy: Dear FIRE:
the Women in Black from Milano, Italy, will take a vigil with other peace
organizations,on 8th,at 18-19 in front of the Tourist office of Israel.
Our group is taking vigil since October 2000, every friday, from18 to 19.
We also have had vigils in front of media--TT,and newspapers--with information.
We exist since 1988, born with the problems concerning Palestine and Israel.
And then Gulf war, Yugoslavia war, Kosovo war, Women's problems in Afghanistan,
Kurdistan, and Turkey. We are a small group,but in many towns in
Italy there are groups of Women in Black very active and much more numerous
than us in Milano. We send to you our last paper which we distribute
during our vigils. Un forte abbraccio dalle, Donne in nero di
Milano Ornella Clementi, Marinella Sanvito, Roberta Larghi,Carmela Ieroianni
and others.
11. Victoria, Australia: The Victoria
vigil is being organized by several women but does not represent an organization
as such. We will be having a silent vigil at a large intersection calling
for an end to the occupation and an end to the violence. Our motivation
is to support those in Israel who continue to put their lives on the line
for peace and justice. We want to add our voices to the international outcry
against the violence of the occupation, hoping this may make an impression
on the Israeli leadership.
12. Uppsala, Sweden: Dear
sisters! Women in Black will arrange a vigil at the Celsius square in Uppsala
in Sweden on the 7th of June 5-6 p.m. (Swedish time = GMT+1 hour)
with the same message as the vigil in Jerusalem: Stop the Israeli occupation!
34 years of occupation, now it is enough! The participants are members
of different organisations: Women For Peace in Uppsala, WILPF, Network
for a Culture for Peace, Uppsala Ecumenical Women's Council, The Swedish
Church Mission and The Luther Aid. Over a period of time we have
held vigils for one hour every Thursday afternoon with the message: Stop
the Israeli occupation. The last events have made us even more convinced
that a comprehensive and durable peace must be founded on the principles
of justice, equality, respect for human rights and a fair procedure of
negotiations, based on the UN resolutions. At this point an immediate international
intervention is needed to stop the bloodshed and promote a just and comprehensive
peace. Gull Törnegren, participant in Women in Black,and member
of Women For Peace, Uppsala Sweden also Th.D.candidate at Faculty of Theology,
University of Uppsala, working on a thesis on "Peace Ethics"
based on communicative ethics and on interviews with Israeli and Palestinian
women activists for justice and peace.
13. México: How wonderful
that you will be participating in the vigil on June 8th! I just returned
to Palestine and Jerusalem and I interviewed Women in Black there and women
of Bat-Shalom, women n Ramallah from the organization Palestinian Women's
Society. I just published various articles about my visit and the
interviews. If you are interested, I can send them to you.
We, the Women in Black in Mexico,are planning our vigil on Friday, June
8th, in the Angel of Independence in the Federal District of Mexico.
Greetings in solidarity! Nearly always we women have ideas for real
solutions to the violence, destruction and war. Sylvia Marcos
(Translated
from Spanish)
14. Padova, Italy: Dear friends,
We are the Women in Black of Padova, Italy. On Friday, June 8th at
6 pm we will be in the plaza with other pacifists, to demonstrate our solidarity
with the Palestinian people and to say strongly and clearly: Stop
the Israeli Occupation! And also we demand international protection
for the Palestinian people. In many other cities in Italy women and
men will be in the plazas (Rome, Milan, Naples, Bologna, Piacenza, Reggio
Emilia, Verona, Udine, Scho, Como, ....). Marianita, Women
in Black, Padova, Italy.
15. Madison, Wisconsin, USA: Hello!
We are planning to have a vigil here in Madison, Wisconsin in front
of the State Capitol, on Friday, June 8, at 12 noon. This was initiated
by the group "Jews for Equal Justice". We are Madison-area Jews who
feel compelled to break the silence and speak out against the ongoing tragedy
being perpetrated against the Palestinian people by the government of Israel.
We join a growing number of Jewish voices in Israel, in the United States,
and throughout the world who say "Not in our name." Through our public
presence, we hope to demonstrate that not all Jews are supportive of Israeli
policy or U.S. policy toward Israel. We oppose the equation of Jewish
identity with uncritical support of Israel. We are dedicated to the
promotion of dialogue on this issue between Jews and Palestinians, and
among Jews who have different opinions. We are working toward a healing
of the wounds of the last 50 years. Other co-sponsors of this event
are Al-Awda: The Right to Return Coalition, U.S. Out Now, 4Lakes Green
party, the Habiba Chaouch Foundation, the Madison Mennnonite Church,
and Solidarity-Socialist Feminist Organization. We plan on giving a short
introductory speech, after which people will be invited to come up
and talk about why they came, what their thoughts and feelings are.
People will be wearing black, and holding signs. Hope this description
is not too long. Thank you and good luck!!!...Tsela Barr
16. Galway, Ireland: Congratulations
to Feminist International Radio Endeavour on the magnificent project for
the 8th of June. It is wonderful that you will be bringing us all
together as we stand there at noon with our message to end the Israeli
occupation. Here in Galway City, Ireland, our organisation, Women
in Media & Entertainment, is calling all women in Galway to dress in
black and stand at the top of the main shopping street. We call on
men as well. We will not be a very large group, as the older teenagers
are all sitting very important exams at that time; but the fact that we
are
part of this whole will give us a great sense of achievement. We
will be enlarging all the e-mailed information about Women in Black and
putting it up beside our vigil as posters for the shoppers to read.
Women in Media & Entertainment, of which Radio Pirate-Woman is a part,
was set up in 1982 to promote and support all women's culture and struggle.
My personal involvement with the Women in Black Vigil derives from my Russian-Jewish
uncle who, as a young man, went to live in Palestine (before the
foundation of the State of Israel) with the aspiration to help set up a
Jewish/Arab Socialist republic; I believe he was a founder-member of Berit
Shalom, which sought a Jewish/Arab bi-national state. Sadly, he was
assassinated in the early 1930s by a sniper while he was at work translating
the Bible into Arabic. It is in his memory I am standing in the street,
as well, as for all the sufferings caused by war and ruthless expropriation
of land - and yet why have we women allowed ourselves to be put into the
situation of constantly having to mend and reconstruct all the damage that
has been done, without recognition or reparation from the governments responsible?
From Margaretta D'Arcy, on behalf of Women in Media & Entertainment
and Radio Pirate-Women..
17. Cali, Colombia: FIRE, I
sent this message to the Palestinian Women from Cali, and given our own
situation of war, we declare that we are with you, and support you in your
protest. We ask that you support us in denouncing the dirty war that
we are suffering from in Colombia. We write to you from Aguablanca,
Cali, Colombia. In solidarity, Community Semilla de Mostaza.
18. México:
Women in Black/Mexico call to all women pacifists and anti- war activists
to an action calling for the END OF THE ISRAELI OCCUPATION IN PALESTINE
on the 8th of June, at Angel of the Independence, at 6 pm, the following
resolution:
*While the strong Israeli military represses with
bullets children with stones and destroys entire Palestinian towns in order
to carry out their expansion;
*While the fundamentalist islamics respond to the
aggression of Israel with actions of terrorism, triggering greater rage
among youth about the conditions of life in their towns;
*While the men conduct war, one more time, they
are attacked, they bombard, and they kill, leaving in their wake hundreds
of innocent victims (the majority children and women), leading to growing
brutality, pain and danger;
*While the self-proclaimed leaders of the world
are not capable of stopping this insanity, a sector of the society, invisibilized
by the mass media and harassed by their own soldiers and nationalists of
their nations: the women pacifists and anti-war activists of Israel and
Palestine who reach across limits of nationalism, militarism and borders,
and they carry out actions of solidarity, of unity, and of mutual support,
and at the same time they demand an end to the occupation, calling for
peace, calling for wisdom that permits two communities of brothers to live
together and to share the ground and the resources. They have called
to all the women of the world to carry out public actions in the month
of June, which marks 34 years of occupation of Palestine by the State of
Israel, so that among all our voices we do an action by calling for peace,
for wisdom and justice, and an end to the brutality. They have called us
to carry out a vigil on this 8th day of June. Women in Black, among
other organizations and groups of women pacifists of the world, are united
in response to the call of our Israeli and Palestinian sisters, organizing
a simultaneous vigil in cities around the world in all continents [Coalition
demands included in letter].
The central activity organized by the Israelis and Palestinians in Jerusalem
on June 8th will be a peace vigil of all the organizations of women of
both countries. At the same time, hundreds of sisters will hold vigils
in different countries of the world, to try and generate support from conscietious
men and in favor of a PEACE WITH JUSTICE for both nations. In Mexico City,
we will carry out our vigil simultaneously with pacifists of 57 cities,
on Friday, June 8 at 6 pm, in the Angel of the Independence. We call to
all women to participate and to hear our call for peace and against the
insanity of war and militarism. Participants shold dress in black and bring
a sign that says: END THE ISRAELI OCCUPATION OF PALESTINE.
For more information, write to e-mail: mdenegro@creatividadfeminista.org
19. Puerto Rico: To FIRE, from
your sisters in Women in Black: From these Caribbean islands, on
this day of the international vigil for human rights and a just peace en
the Middle East. We send you a big hug, and shout: End the
Occupation!! Erica Martinez y Nereida Serrano, in Guayama,
Puerto Rico. Discover Us! Meet us! "They speak of peace
but there is no peace." (Ezekial 13,10).
20. Baltimore, USA: FIRE, wonderful
idea. The Baltimore Branch of the Women's International League for Peace
& Freedom will hold its vigil on Friday, June 8, between the hours
of 5 and 6pm at the corner of Charles and Centre Streets. We call for an
end to the occupation, an end to the cycle of violence, and the creation
of a just peace based on the rights of the Palestinian people to establish
their own state and to be able to co-exist with Israel in a peaceful way.
As the world's oldest ongoing women's peace organization formed in 1915,
we stand in vigil in solidarity with our Sister Sections in Israel and
Palestine. We extend our deepest congratulations to the Israeli and Serbian
Women in Black organizations who have just been nominated for the 2001
Nobel Peace Prize.
21. Costa Rica: To FIRE:
We are going to hold a little vigil tomorrow, Friday, at 10 am in the Plaza
of Democracy. We are going to leave from the Friends Peace Center
to be in the Plaza at about 10 until 11. We are going to wear black
and carry signs. The idea is to support the Israelis that say that
a just peace for the Palestinians is the only possibility for true security
and peace for Israel. The Palestinians need their land, their space,
and respect for all. We hope to see you with us in the Plaza of Democracy
tomorrow. Peace, Jean Patterson, Ann Marie Saidy, and Diane Bucaro.
22. Belgium: For FIRE´s
webcast: I'm a Belgian poet and activist and I like to express my support
for the vigil for a final just peace. Frieda
23. Naples, Italy: Thank you so much for inviting us to participate on the air with you in your web gathering. We are working on our demonstration here, hoping it will be big. A big hug from Renata Here is a presentation of the Women in Black in Naples, which you are welcome to cut, if too long:
WOMEN IN BLACK - NAPLES
In Trieste e Trento Square in Naples, over the years since 1991, we
have often been present, dressed in black, in silent protest against situations
of conflict around the world. We were especially active against the Gulf
War and the NATO bombings of Yugoslavia, in both of which the Italian Government
was military involved. Since 1989 members of our group have worked as peace
activists in organizations such as the Gulf Committee for Truth about War,
A Bridge to..., and Fair and Solidary Trade. As women in black we
started a permanent group in Naples in the spring of 1999, which is connected
with national and foreign associations of Women in Black. We have acted
on our own or together with other peace groups and have been in touch with
Iraq (against the embargo), Yugoslavia, Colombia, and Afganistan. We feel
that there is a lot to be done, especially for the women in Afganistan.
Our present concern is with the Palestinian people and their sufferings.
Since last November, Italian Women in Black with our president Luisa Morgantini,
Italian deputee in the European Parliament, have been organizing regular
trips to Jerusalem, visiting Palestinian towns on the West Bank and in
Gaza, and holding demonstrations in squares and at checkpoints together
with Israeli and Palestinian organizations. We are very grateful for their
intelligent, warm reception. A post-card campaign is going on now
to induce our government to take a stand against the occupation of Palestinian
land by Israel and demand less slanted information on Italian television.
We believe that the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories by Israel
and the many unkept promises are the main causes of the violence and pain.
For this reason we are going to demonstrate tomorrow in Piazza Carità
in Naples from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.in solidarity with WFJPand with all women
and men, who demand a just peace for the sake of the people, both Palestinian
and Israeli.
END THE OCCUPATION NOW !
24. Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts,
USA: Greetings to you all! An addition to the message
already sent about our vigils here in Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts,
US. Our vigils were organized by Jewish Women for Justice in Israel
and Palestine. We are a group that started last year by writing and circulating
a letter, titled Not In Our Name! that got 150 signers quickly. Several
members of the group had started Women in Black in Boston several years
ago, and many of us have been active in Middle East issues for years. Jewish
Women for Justice in Israel and Palestine also includes women with long
experience in feminist issues who may be newer to Middle East issues but
no less passionate about stopping the occupation, the seiges, the settlements,
and the racism. We know, as well, that this is the only way that true security
for Israeli Jews can come about. We have brought back monthly Women in
Black vigils and spun off a Women in Black group that has begun to organize
these monthly vigils. Some of us belong to other groups in Boston that
work for a just and therefore viable peace in the Middle East. We stand
today in solidarity with our sisters (and brothers)in Israel and Palestine
to say Not In Our Name: End the occupation!
25. France: On this 8th of June, 2001, the Women in Black join in solidarity in response to the call of the "Coalition of Women for a Just Peace" for the vigil to be held today in Jerusalem, against the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and for human rights and justice. Similar demonstrations will be held in at least 150 cities of the entire world. 34 YEARS OF OCCUPATION, ISN'T THAT ENOUGH? A look on a map of Israel and the Gaza strip, with basic common sense shows without ambiguity that with the end of the Israeli occupation and the dismantling of these colonies, peace will reestablish itself, for the Palestiniens will have at last a reason for hope in their future. Negotiations must be resumed to stop the terrorism, because to fight terrorism by an even more illegitimate terrorist state can only lead to more bloodbaths, to an escalating hate, to more misfortunes and tears. Terrorism is the ultimate and criminal expression of populations reduced to despair because the international community obstinately lends a deaf ear to their cries and their legitimate claims.
We support the principles of the "Coalition of Women for a just Peace"
[included in this letter]. As "Women in Black", as feminists
and as pacifists, we insist specifically on the following points: Besides
equal rights for women, we support a less common but very important opposition
to militarism that permeates Israeli society, and also Palestinian society,
leading to a "Rambo-ization" of young men that can also lead to violence
in the domestic sphere. Given that women have a different vision
world from that of men, that requires putting life and its concrete realities
and emotions above abstract and too often deadly principles for the sake
of "patriarchal honor," it is imperative that women be included in the
peace negotiations. Women no longer want to raise children to be
sacrificed in these senseless and absurd wars.
27. Stoughton, Wisconsin, USA: Dear
Friends at FIRE, Thank you for a marvelous broadcast. I loved
hearing the Israeli women talking live about their vigil in Jerasulem.
I went with my mother and sister to the vigil near here in Madison, Wisconsin.
It was a great success with over 100 people from different groups--Palestinians,
Arabs, U.S. Jews, and other political and religious groups, all in solidarity
together. Congratulations once again to FIRE, a very important media
channel in the hands of women. Greetings to all, Margaret, Marian
and Anne Thompson.
28. Berkely, California, USA: hHello
Friends, Thanks for the information. I am at work and am unable to
listen to the broadcast but I am glad to learn about a new website.
Onward! Ciao, Vicki Alcoset, Berkeley, CA, USA, bachesed@yahoo.com.
29. Boston, USA: We've just
had our vigil in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A. At noontime, when most
people are working, we still had 100 people present at the vigil!!
Our Boston vigil will be taking place in three hours, and we'll report
then. In sisterhood and solidarity, Ruby Poltorak, in Boston, for
Jewish Women for Justice in Israel and Palestine
30. Ashland, Oregon, USA: Our
organization is planning to have an assembly with signs which we will parade
to the plaza area and provide information on this issue, perhaps a speech,
a period of silence and hopefully, open a few minds as to the reality in
the Occupied Territories. Our intention is to educate, inform and
initiate change in regard to U.S. policy in particular. We have been
holding weekly programs of this nature for some time. Thanks for
your efforts. Shanti/Shalom/Salaam, jim bowne, MiddleEastPeaceForum,
Ashland, Oregon, USA
31. Sao Paolo, Brazil: This is "The Day After" the Women in Black Vigil, organized by our Shalom_Salam_Paz, which took place in the open area of the Art Museum of São Paulo, in the Paulista Ave., the nerve centre of our city. There were some 150-200 participants; most of them wearing black, including Jews and Arabs who are activists in various NGOs and in the professional and intellectual Brazilian life. A remarkable presence was the distinguished Rabbi Henry Sobel, well known for his longtime interfaith work, and who had been an outspoken leader against the military dictatorship during the 70s. For the first time, leaders of Palestinian organizations in Brazil stood shoulder to shoulder with Jewish people, holding posters that called for the end of the occupation as well as [an end to] both Palestinian and Israeli terrorism. Other posters read "Shalom", "Salam", "Peace", "We refuse to be enemies", "For the reestablishment of dialogue", "We’re all equal, whether embraced or not", and so on.
At some point, people from both communities joined together, to read loud and in unison our SSP Statement of Principles, under the flags of Israel, Palestine and Brazil – definitely a very moving moment! A remarkable point was also the presence of 20-30 teenagers from Colegio Friburgo, one of the best middle class high schools in Sao Paulo. They have recently received one of our members, together with a Palestinian leader in Brazil, in the first experience of our "open dialogues", where the students join the speakers in the search for a solution to the conflict, after been presented a balanced view on the conflict, stressing the hope for a just peace on the part of both speakers.
The vigil was highly criticized by the main Jewish discussion lists on the Web, resulting in a statement by the Jewish Federation of Sao Paulo (FISESP) recognizing the right of Jewish minorities to dissent from official positions, later contradicted by another statement denying recognition to our group, which has been presented by some opinion makers as a petty and ridiculous group in search of self promotion. A woman, who leads opposition to Shalom_Salam_Paz attended the vigil in order to take pictures and to present a report to her readers, with personal offenses to several of our members. The event was covered by the main media: Radio, TV, Newspapers and Jewish Magazines. The most important newspapers in Sao Paulo, "O Estado de Sao Paulo" and "Folha de Sao Paulo", published reports today, and a photo with Rabbi Sobel shaking hands with Stella Maris Chebli, a Lebanese-descendant psychoanalyst. (See report in http://www.estado.com.br/editorias/2001/06/09/int406.html.) We were supported by Security Police protection and the Traffic Police organization, and the event took place in order and with no problems at all. We’ve given the participants stickers (part of it inspired by the Junity's logo) shown in attachment, as well as distributed our Statement of Principles. Maybe the end of the occupation will not happen tomorrow - maybe the day after tomorrow, who knows? - But we have certainly made our point of view clear, we’ve given an example that Arabs and Jews can be friends and respect each other, and, together with the other 144 organizations holding the vigil, we’ve presented the world the good side of being human! São Paulo, June 9th, 2001.
_______________________________________________________________-
Letters from Fundamentalist Critics:
32. Location Unknown: Which
occupation do you wish to end? The occupation provoked by the foreigners
who occupied the Land of Israel and exiled the Jewish community?
The colonies that were occupied by the Romans, Abu Bakr, the Mamelukos,
the Turks and finally the British? The Land of Israel and the
People of Israel are ONE and inseparable, founded by God himself.
It doesn't matter what anti-semites such as you say. How many anti-semites
have risen up in the world? Many. Where are they are now, but
forgotten, in the history books. Where are we? WE ARE ALIVE
AND LIVING AND CONSTRUCTING OUR LAND. God told Father Abraham:
Whoever blesses you I will bless, whoever curses you I curse. The
option is yours. We are continuing on here. Moshe Jimenez Esquivel.
33. Location Unknown:
Greetings. I am a muslim (Moslem as the westerners call) male. I am going
to
tell you about a very important and a valuable thing which you may
not know. I have designed and uploaded on the internet, a great site for
all people [at: www.sevenverses.com]. Generally the site deals with
the problem of all members of mankind from the view point of one <universal
human family> You will have lots of great information on different things
in life which may not be available on millions of sites. Moreover there
is nothing to lose. It's a golden opportunity in your life to see what
is available to you by exploring the real world. I hope you kindly visit
this site and make your comments either to success@sevenverses.com.
Best Regards, abdulghafoor. P.S.There is a special page dedicated
to :<women and their status>