We are horrified by the recent escalation of violence in Israel and Gaza and appalled by the loss of life. We condemn the violent attack by Hamas against the Israeli civilian population in the strongest terms. We also, decidedly, condemn the violence used by Israeli Forces against the Palestinian civilian population. Together with civil society and peace organisations in Israel and Palestine, we call upon all decision-makers there to respect International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and human rights and to protect the civilian populations through all available means. This includes, among others, an immediate end to Hamas’ hostage-taking of civilians and to the blockade of Gaza imposed by the Israeli government, cutting the population off, especially from access to water, food, electricity and fuel.

Following the adoption of two bills by Israel’s parliament on 28 October 2024, UNRWA is threatened with having to cease its operations (humanitarian, medical and educational) in the West Bank and Gaza by the end of the year. At a time when the conflict in Gaza has already claimed tens of thousands of victims, no other humanitarian organisation or authority can take on UNRWA's tasks in Gaza. Hindering the agency's work jeopardises the entire aid operation for Palestinian victims in Gaza, as all other organisations (UN and international and national NGOs) use UNRWA's logistical and administrative systems.

Militarisation means more than "just" spending on armed forces: this spending is the consequence of a security policy geared towards war. As a feminist peace organisation, we oppose the claim that more weapons lead to more security. We demand demilitarisation and disarmament because that is the only way to achieve genuine peace and comprehensive security.

"Building peace across the divide", Susan Risal, executive director, Nagarik Aawaz, our partner organisation in Nepal

Caryn Dasah (left in the picture), a peace activist from our global network Feminists Connecting for Peace, is campaigning for peace and social justice in a country that is experiencing a globally neglected armed conflict: the Anglophone crisis in Cameroon. In this interview, she talks about the risks that young people like her take in their commitment to peace and justice.