The Contribution of Women to Peace and Reconciliation
The Contribution of Women to Peace and Reconciliation
The Contribution of Women to Peace and Reconciliation
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At the same time, Lama Hourani recognizes the efforts <strong>of</strong> peace activists<br />
on both sides. “But the results <strong>of</strong> these modest efforts are less<br />
than is needed <strong>to</strong> achieve true reconciliation for a very long conflict. <strong>The</strong><br />
persistent failure <strong>of</strong> the peace processes is reflected in this area, <strong>to</strong>o. It<br />
is more difficult <strong>to</strong> achieve reconciliation if the main issues remain unresolved.<br />
Without addressing the asymmetry between the two parties,<br />
without recognizing that one party is living under daily humiliation, while<br />
the other is trying <strong>to</strong> defend the state that is imposing this humiliation<br />
on its counterpart, <strong>and</strong> without admitting that the representatives <strong>of</strong> the<br />
occupying country are calling <strong>to</strong> fight against the oppressed, rather than<br />
being in solidarity with them, the conflict will not be resolved.” (Report,<br />
p. 208). She says that fundamentally, there will be no permanent political<br />
solution unless the asymmetry between the parties is first addressed,<br />
<strong>and</strong> concludes: “Unless Israel is forced <strong>to</strong> accept a solution that gives<br />
the Palestinians what the UN resolutions <strong>and</strong> international law provide,<br />
the chances for peace will remain remote, <strong>and</strong> the door <strong>to</strong> peace will be<br />
closed – but the doors <strong>of</strong> violence, extremism <strong>and</strong> terrorism will be<br />
opened.” (Report, p. 209).<br />
Special View on Gaza<br />
Years <strong>of</strong> occupation, conflict, high population density, limited l<strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> sea access, a blockade with continuing isolation, <strong>and</strong> strict<br />
internal <strong>and</strong> external security controls have degraded the economic<br />
conditions in the Gaza Strip, the smaller <strong>of</strong> the two areas in the Pal -<br />
estinian Terri<strong>to</strong>ries. Israeli-imposed crossing closures, which became<br />
more restrictive after Hamas violently <strong>to</strong>ok over the terri<strong>to</strong>ry in June<br />
2007, <strong>and</strong> Israeli military operations against Gaza during the December<br />
2008 – January 2009 war, resulted in the near collapse <strong>of</strong> most<br />
<strong>of</strong> the private sec<strong>to</strong>r, extremely high unemployment, <strong>and</strong> high<br />
poverty rates. (Ghada Al-Jadba, Report, p. 215)<br />
Ghada Al-Jadba provides a brief overview <strong>of</strong> the extreme situation <strong>of</strong> life<br />
<strong>of</strong> the 1.5 million people who live in Gaza. Approximately half a million<br />
people live in the eight refugee camps in Gaza. “Refugees remain the<br />
most vulnerable under present circumstances, <strong>and</strong> the community continues<br />
<strong>to</strong> experience rising levels <strong>of</strong> unemployment, food insecurity <strong>and</strong><br />
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