As the news came in last night about Ariel Sharon’s “mild stroke” – and I wish him a speedy recovery and good health – I got to thinking about the white-water pace of Israeli politics. Always something new and intense. Then it dawned on me that this is what life in Israel is all about – one intense moment after another. If it’s not a brutal suicide bombing, it’s the theatrical Gaza disengagement or the meteoric resurrection of the Labor Party or the meltdown of the Likud Party or an entirely new reshuffling of the political cards now that Sharon is newly old and mortal. Is this a need for a regular “intensity fix”? More about this another time, perhaps.

The most recent chapter concerns Ariel Sharon, whose hegemony is now threatened as health and age become issues in the campaign. Amir Peretz has a realistic chance, as social-economic issues take center stage for the first time in Israeli elections. But can Peretz convince voters that he is capable of making peace with the Palestinians, and that a negotiated settlement is preferable to a unilateral and limited ‘disengagement’? Or will Sharon force the return of security issues by renewed incursions, assassinations, and air strikes?

And how can concerned friends abroad play a positive role without breaking the law for nonprofits… and gain tax benefits at the same time?

Answer: by supporting the Coalition of Women for Peace. The Coalition does not promote specific candidates, but actively engages voters about the issues that we support – ending the occupation, economic justice, equality for all Israeli citizens (women, Mizrahim, Arabs), and strengthening the democratic fabric of Israeli life. We already have in place four outreach programs that specifically target Israelis who have not shared our views in the past, but are critical “swing voters” in the upcoming election:

1.“Reality Tours” for centrists. Most Israelis have never before seen the Separation Wall, the checkpoints, the refugee camps, or even normal life of the Palestinians in their homes. We conduct “Reality Tours” for such people, and last year 3,500 came on these tours. These tours are a wake-up call for most participants, as understanding dawns about the reasons for the anger and bitterness of Palestinians as a result of occupation policies.

2.Russian-speaking immigrant women. More than 20% of Israelis come from the former Soviet Union, and many hold anti-democratic and even racist perspectives. In this project, women immigrants from the former Soviet Union are exposed to a progressive voice in their own language – at weekend seminars, from speakers at community centers and neighborhood clubhouses, and in the Russian-language media, where we place articles and interviews.

3.Disadvantaged populations. This empowerment program of low-income women (conducted by Ahoti) raises awareness about the link between the economic situation and the conflict with the Palestinians. We hold workshops in small towns, field trips to Arab neighborhoods in Israel, and weekend seminars in “the big city”.

4.Reframing Security: Finally, our new campaign challenges the use of the concept “security” to justify military policies. We maintain that security is more than having a strong army, and can only be the product of a broad range of humanist activity. This includes living in a society that cares for its poor, reduces violence, protects its natural resources, and co-exists in peace with its neighbors. Indeed, this campaign seeks to instill the understanding that “peace is the best way to promote security”. To do this, we use many strategies – high profile meetings with election candidates, public education events, posters, Internet websites, a computer game, consciousness raising groups, and lots of media activity.

We could reach so many more people, if only we had more money! Every dollar exposes more Israelis to these views and values.

If you would like to help support these (and other) activities, please consider a contribution in one of 3 ways:

1. For a US-tax deduction, make out a check to "New Israel Fund”, write on the memo line (or separately) that it is “For the Coalition of Women for Peace", and mail it to New Israel Fund, 1101 14th Street NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005-5639. (Minimum they will accept – $100.)
2. Make out a check to the “Coalition of Women for Peace”, and mail it to Coalition of Women for Peace, P.O. Box 10252, 91102 Jerusalem, Israel. Any currency is welcome!
3. Alternatively, you can wire transfer a contribution directly into our bank account. Our address:

Israel Discount Bank, Hamoshava Branch #062, 21 Emek Refaim Street, Jerusalem.

Beneficiary: Coalition of Women for Peace

Account Number: 967017-512400

Swift Code: IDBLILIT 062

For transfers from Europe: IBAN No. IL 011062 967017 512400

Thank you for helping us make Israel the kind of country that we really need it to be.

Gila Svirsky

Jerusalem