“There is a future of coexistence and women can achieve it”

In late March 2023, Samah Salaime, the director of the Communications and Development Office, was in Barcelona by invitation of the El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria (El Born CCM). In partnership with JCall Barcelona, El Born CCM invited Samah to participate in the roundtable “Women and Peace Processes: Co-resistance in the Israel – Palestine Conflict” as part of the centre’s International Women’s Day celebrations. Samah was joined by two other women from Israel/Palestine: Reem Alahjajra of Women of the Sun and Hana Deganit, from Women Wage Peace. The journalist Célia Cernadas moderated the panel.

During her time in Barcelona, Samah had the opportunity to meet with Mayor Ada Colau, alongside councilwoman for Social Rights, Laura Pérez, and four other women working for peace in Israel/Palestine. Among them was Faride Romano Hadid, who represents WASNS in Spain The women also met with Ms. Mireia Mata, the Secretary of Equality and Feminism for Catalunya. The focus of the meetings was to shine a light on the role that women play in conflict resolution.

During their various meetings, the women discussed their shared commitment to peace and the defence of human rights. The meetings, as well as the roundtable discussion, were covered by Spanish (article behind paywall) and Catalonian media.

The roundtable focused on the current political crisis in Israel and the escalation of violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The women lamented the many mistakes that have been committed by the mostly male political leadership over the last 75 years as well as the continued exclusion of women in politics and peacebuilding.

In their discussion of recent events in Israel/Palestine, the conversation focused on the role of women peacebuilders in creating a political environment of understanding and respect. Speaking about the possibility of peace, Samah shared, “There is a future of coexistence and women can achieve it. Of that I am convinced.”

Finally, while in Barcelona, Samah also took the opportunity to meet with local Palestinian community leaders. She shared that those meetings were both powerful and empowering.