Voicemail (September 7, 2006)

I write this in response to Moshe Siman-Tov’s letter [“Israel’s Total Destruction”, 8/10 issue]. Women in Black began in 1988 in Jerusalem when a group of Israeli women took a stand against their own government’s occupation of the Palestinian territories. They dressed in black as a symbol of mourning and held a black sign in the shape of a hand with white lettering that declared, Stop the Occupation!

The Israeli women’s creative initiative captured the imagination of peace-loving women all over the world. The Women in Black model of peaceful protest was imitated first throughout Israel, then in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It grew into an international movement embracing women of many nationalities and religions, united by a passion for justice and non-violence. Today, hundreds of Women in Black groups hold weekly silent vigils all over the world. The original Women in Black still stand each week at the same busy intersection in Jerusalem demanding an end to Israel’s illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories.

I have participated in the Knoxville area chaper of Women in Black since April 2, 2002. Every Tuesday, without fail, in all kinds of weather, we stand at the intersection of Cumberland Avenue and Locust, in front of the Duncan Federal Building from noon to 12:45 p.m. We hold signs expressing our committment to peace and demand an end to the illegal Israeli occupation. We mourn the deaths of Israeli’s, Palestinians, Lebanese, and all people who have been killed or injured. We are Jews, Christians, and Muslims—women of all faiths, backgrounds, and walks of life.  I treasure the rich experience of getting to know this group of strong, diverse, peaceful women and am honored to stand with them each week. We believe that peaceful co-existence is possible and is a better alternative to separation, hatred, and violence.