A war is being waged in the north and south of Israel – a war that invades our private as well as public space. Our homes are no longer protected, but exposed to risk on many levels – national, economic, social, family, and emotional. In this war, hundreds of thousands of civilians including children are under attack in Israel, Lebanon and Gaza.

This war mixes a ‘military’ with a ‘civilian’ reality, breaking down the distinctions between army and society, political and personal, strength and weakness, military and social allocations. In this war, the home front is being asked to show strength, but not asked its opinion. In the media, the masculine-military discourse is the only one heard. This language does not express our lives.

As activists in feminist organizations, we call attention to the population that has been abandoned in the home front – many of them women and children – who lack all protection. These include Mizrahi, Arab, and immigrant women with no resources and support networks, many of them single mothers, some whose lives were already troubled by violence. This war has had a special impact on women.

Decisions are being made about military and political measures that bring massive harm to the civilian population, but there is no real examination of non-military alternatives, no representation of women, no attention to the civilian and gender considerations, and no discussion of the ethical and humanitarian implications of war policies on civilians in Israel and beyond its borders.

We call upon the government of Israel:

• To prefer political channels to resolving this conflict, avoid harm to the civilian population, and promote a diplomatic solution.

• To implement the amendment to the Law of Equality for Women in the spirit of UN Security Council Resolution 1325. This law mandates the inclusion of women in all political decision-making, whether formulating domestic policies or policies regarding the continuation or discontinuation of the war, including ad hoc task forces to promote a diplomatic solution through negotiations.

We call upon the Israeli authorities:

Regarding compensation for loss of income: To recognize that most women who remain in the war zone are those lacking the means to leave, and struggling with difficult circumstances. These women need immediate and ongoing assistance, and should be included in all decisions regarding compensation for their loss of income as a direct and indirect result of the war. This compensation must be accomplished rapidly, without undue bureaucracy, and with dignity.

Regarding violence against women during war: To recognize that war situations increase the incidence of gender violence against women and girls, and to undertake to prevent and deal with this violence. The security of women is jeopardized by a discourse of national security that fails to include the security of women.

Regarding assistance to families: To provide material and emotional support to women and families in their shelters and homes – food, medical attention, emotional support, communication tools, police responsiveness.

Regarding Arab citizens of Israel: The state of Israel must provide equal services to its Arab citizens – accessible help, infrastructure, and information – to create physical, social and economic security to all its citizens. Arab women are particularly vulnerable to the economic and social repercussions of war, which should be addressed.

We call upon the Israeli media:

To include women in every program and deliberation regarding military, political, social, and economic issues, and to bring a gendered and civil society perspective to these programs.

Signed –

Isha L’Isha: Haifa Feminist Center

Mahut Center: Information, Guidance and Employment for Women

Amuta for Economic Empowerment of Women

Itach – Ma’aki: Women Lawyers for Social Justice

Kol Ha-Isha: Jerusalem Feminist Center

Feminist House, Tel Aviv

Feminist College for Empowerment of Women

Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel

Women’s Parliament

Ahoti: For Women in Israel

Coalition of Women for Peace