Lea Tsemel

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Overview

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Lea Tsemel born Haifa, Israel June 19, 1945. Israeli human rights lawyer; defender of Palestinian rights. Won case against torture, 1999.

Quotations

“We, the students, the people, were misled before the war to believe that this is a war for peace. Israel didn’t think of creating peace. And I found myself having to decide whether my humanity prevails, when I saw what happened to the Palestinians in the Occupied Territories, or my Israeli loyalty would prevail. . . And I chose my humanity. Therefore, when I became a lawyer, it was only natural that I will try to defend the underdogs, the Palestinians, while thinking all the time of a possible—the only possible solution to the conflict there: one, equality; two or one state—it doesn’t make a difference, really—but freedom for the Palestinians; a recognition of what we have caused to them; and ability to continue together with equality, which is the most important, equality, and freedom, of course, for both people.” (Democracy Now, Jun. 14, 2019; photo jvpnyc.org)

Irit Tamir

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Overview

Irit Tamir born Israel November 29, 1973. Israeli lawyer. Oxfam adviser on land use for corporate agriculture. Co-founded Women Wage Peace after Gaza War, 2014.

Quotations

"Women cannot just sit at home, complain, and hope for the best, without actively doing something to change the situation. It’s time for us to be part of the dialogue that revolves around security and peace." (theupliftingcrane.wordpress.com March 5, 2015; photo Oxfam)

Mother Teresa of Calcutta

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Overview

Mother Teresa of Calcutta (née Agnes Bojaxhiu) born Skopje, Macedonia, Ottoman Empire August 26, 1910 (d. 1997). Recipient of numerous awards in recognition of her peace efforts: Nehru Prize, 1969; Templeton Prize, 1973; Nobel Peace Prize, 1979.

Quotations

"[L]ove begins at home, and if we can create a home for the poor—I think that more and more love will spread. And we will be able through this understanding love to bring peace, be the good news to the poor. The poor in our own family first, in our country and in the world." (Nobel address, Dec. 11, 1979; photo Vatican.va)

Aida Touma-Sliman

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Overview

Aida Touma-Sliman born Nazareth, Palestine July 16, 1964. Christian-born Arab peacemaker. Israeli citizen and member of the Knesset. Co-founder and CEO, Women Against Violence (WAV), 1992. Co-founded Al-Badeel, a coalition against honor killings, 1993. Joined Women in Black, 1989. Coordinator of Engendering the Peace Process, 1995-96. Offered food and medical relief to West Bank during Israeli invasion of West Bank and Gaza, 2001. Upon election to Knesset, assumed leadership of Committee on the Status of Women and the newly established Anti-Racism Caucus, 2015.

Quotations

“The women on the other side of the fence deserve to live lives free of occupation and checkpoints.” (International Women’s Day protest, 2015, +972 magazine; photo tlv1.fm)