israelis want peace

The international movement of Women in Black began in January 1988, one month after the first Palestinian Intifada (uprising) broke out, as a small group of Israeli women carried out a simple form of protest: Once a week at the same hour and in the same location – a major traffic intersection – they donned black clothing and raised a black sign in the shape of a hand with white lettering that read “Stop the Occupation”. Within months, by word of mouth, women throughout Israel had heard of this protest, and launched dozens of vigils.

This began the 17-year history of the Women in Black movement, as it spread spontaneously from country to country, wherever women sought to speak out against violence and injustice in their own part of the world. In Italy, Women in Black protest a range of issues, from the Israeli occupation to the violence of organized crime. In Germany, Women in Black protest neo-Nazism, racism against guest workers, and nuclear arms. In India, Women in Black hold vigils that call for an end to the ill treatment of women by religious fundamentalists. And during the war in the Balkans, Women in Black in Belgrade set a profound example of interethnic cooperation that was an inspiration to their countrywomen and men.

Women in Black are often the target of attack by those who promote narrow nationalist views over reconciliation and peace. In both Israel and Serbia, where Women in Black have spoken out against the policies of their own political leadership, women in these vigils are frequently threatened and sometimes violently assaulted, accused of being traitors to their own country. Yet Women in Black have refused to step down from their courageous stand, preferring to serve as a continuous, public reminder that the oppression of others is an unacceptable option.

Although Women in Black took root in every continent of the world, cooperation among the disparate vigils was minimal until 2001, when e-mail lists originating in Europe, Asia, and North America began to network the groups. This was followed by two massive, joint actions – in June and December 2001 – demanding peace between Israel and Palestine. On both these days, tens of thousands of women in 150 cities across all five continents participated in solidarity actions. The December event in Jerusalem saw over 5,000 Israeli and Palestinian Women in Black and men marching together from the Israeli to the Palestinian sides of town under the twin banners, “The Occupation is Killing Us All” and “We Refuse to be Enemies”. Other Women in Black campaigns seek to focus world attention on the war in Colombia, and the need to bring peace to that region.

The movement of Women in Black has empowered women and men in many countries to mobilize for peace. It is an international movement, so that the voice of conscience in one region now echoes and reverberates throughout the world. And it provides a worldwide support system for victims of oppression, exposing their injustice to the light of day and the pressure of world opinion. The movement of Women in Black assumes many forms in many countries, but one thing is common to all: an uncompromising commitment to justice and a world free of violence.