The Contribution of Women to Peace and Reconciliation

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