Jody Williams Attends International Women’s Commission Conference on Israel-Palestine

June 1, 2010

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Update: IWC conference releases statement condemning Gaza flotilla attack, more below

Nobel Peace Laureate Jody Williams is in Madrid, Spain, to attend the international colloquium “Advancing Women’s Leadership for Sustainable Peace in the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict and Worldwide”. The conference is being hosted by the International Women’s Commission (IWC) and UNIFEM to highlight women’s leadership in the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The gender dimensions of the conflict and possible solutions have largely gone unrecognized. In the lead up to the 10th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the IWC brings together Palestinian, Israeli and international women to speak in one voice. The Madrid conference aims to gain support and forge alliances with the European Union in order to promote women’s leadership and participation in processes to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in accordance with this resolution and with UNSCR 1889.

The focus of the first day of the conference shifted, however, following the Israeli attack on a flotilla of aid ships bound for Gaza on Monday. The attendees drafted a statement, released with the International Women’s Commission, expressing shock and dismay at Monday’s events. The statement strongly condemns the attack and calls upon the international community to take action to hold Israel accountable for their actions.