A Different Kind of Diplomacy: Women in Israeli Leadership Can Lead the Way to Peace

By: Hanan Alsana and Ella Alon/ the jerusalem post

Studies show that when women participate in peace negotiations, the chance of reaching an agreement that will last at least 15 years increases by 35%.

In a world suffering from devastating wars, not just in Israel, the absence of women from decision-making arenas, especially in peace negotiations and conflict resolution, is a deeply disturbing issue.

Twenty-five years ago, the UN Security Council adopted historic Resolution 1325, calling for the representation of women from diverse groups in decision-making on peace and security issues, for the protection of women from all forms of violence, and for the integration of a gender perspective into discussions on peace and security.

Thanks to ongoing pressure from women's organizations, Israel was among the first countries to adopt parts of the resolution into national legislation in 2005 (requiring diverse women's representation on policy teams or committees).

Women's voices are silenced and ostracized.

In 2014, the government decided to formulate a national action plan to implement Resolution 1325. However, as of 2025, this commitment has not been fulfilled. On the contrary, there are countless examples of women's voices being silenced and excluded from key decision-making centers.

For example, the war cabinet during the Iran crisis included six male ministers and one Knesset member (the chairman of Shas), even though the war severely affected millions of women. Their voices were not included or considered in decision-making.

It is important to remember that the role of the UN Security Council is to promote peace and resolve conflicts, and Resolution 1325 was designed for this purpose. It has been proven that women's participation in decision-making in the areas of peace and security makes a significant contribution to the success of conflict resolution.

Peace agreements that include a gender perspective tend to be more inclusive and sustainable, as they reflect the full range of human needs of those living in conflict-affected areas (such as access to education, health – including mental health, safety from gender-based violence, food security), and not just issues of arms proliferation, security measures, and violence reduction.

Women's participation increases the chances of success

Studies show that when women participate in peace negotiations, the chances of reaching an agreement that lasts at least 15 years increase by 35%. Women bring a wide range of perspectives, life experiences, and a deep understanding of diverse social needs, which can lead to innovative and inclusive solutions. They often serve as mediators between different population groups, building bridges of understanding and cooperation.

Many studies have shown that diversity in leadership and decision-making produces better results, as bringing together the best minds with different perspectives increases creativity and the ability to implement effective solutions. Women’s influence can be seen in informal peace talks and civil society initiatives, but unfortunately they have no place around the formal decision-making tables that shape our lives.

Countries that have suffered from protracted, violent, and bitter conflicts have shown that women can lead a different kind of diplomacy—one that paves the way for profound transformation of entrenched conflicts. In Northern Ireland, for example, the women who helped end the conflict were the only mediators representing women on both sides of the dispute, breaking down rigid dichotomies and creating common ground.

In the Philippines, women initiated community peace projects such as “peace zones” where weapons were banned or ceasefires were declared on holidays. These initiatives were later adopted at the national level and influenced the peace process by showing that it was possible. In Colombia, women’s testimonies about the impact of war, their needs, and their vision for possible solutions became a central part of the peace process, demonstrating the importance of a gender-inclusive approach.

What is missing in Israel

In Israel, however, decision-makers have yet to internalize the importance of implementing Resolution 1325. More than 100 countries have developed and implemented national action plans for women, peace, and security, but Israel has not, despite its official decision to do so in 2014. Even the short-lived “government of change,” which began formulating such a plan, ultimately retreated from addressing the core issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Today it is painfully clear: we lack female representation in decision-making bodies and in peace negotiations. We lack a gender lens and a people-centered policy approach. We lack protection for women in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. And we lack a strong international demand for the inclusion of women around the decision-making tables.

In conflicts around the world, the international community has played a crucial role in ensuring women’s participation in peace negotiations. Mediators have demanded this from the parties and supported women’s organizations in increasing their voice during peace talks.

In Israel, however, the political leadership remains fixated on a fascist position, clinging to an ongoing war despite its devastating consequences for Israelis and Palestinians – for the 50 hostages still being held in Gaza and for the civilians there. Therefore, no one dares to demand the inclusion of women, thinking that this is a marginal issue compared to the “core issues” at hand. But it is possible that insisting on women’s representation could change the entire dynamic.

International experience shows that including women from diverse backgrounds in peace efforts leads to more creative, inclusive, and sustainable solutions. After 22 months of war and 25 years since Resolution 1325, it is time to understand that equal representation of diverse female voices in diplomacy is not only the right thing to do – but also a key to breaking the impasse we find ourselves in.

The writers are lawyers and co-CEOs of the Itach Maaki Association - Lawyers for Social Justice.

To read the article from the source:

https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-863178