The Vienna lecture in the ballroom of the Vienna City Hall was a complete success
Vienna (OTS) – At the invitation of the Vienna Library in the town hall, in cooperation with the Jewish Museum Vienna and Salzburg Global Seminar, representatives of the two movements “Women Wage Peace” and “Women of the Sun” presented their work yesterday. They were welcomed by Veronica Kaup-Hasler, City Councilor for Culture and Science. Barbara Staudinger, director of the Jewish Museum Vienna, emphasized the importance of peace initiatives and dialogue for a peaceful future. Around 500 people followed the discussion about the activities of the two peace movements in Israel and Palestine as well as the importance of women in peace processes in the ballroom of the Vienna City Hall. The representatives of the movements, who were jointly nominated for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize and named “Women of the Year” by Time magazine, emphasized the key role of women in peace processes. As a result, sustainable peace can only be achieved with the help of women.
Despite the long history of conflict between Israel and Palestine, both movements are committed to cooperation and dialogue because this is the only way peaceful coexistence is possible. This is evident in various joint initiatives such as the “Mothers’ Call” petition, which calls for the immediate start of peace negotiations and the inclusion of women in all related processes in accordance with UN Resolution 1325. The fundamental starting point for the cooperation between the two peace movements was the vision of a peaceful future for their children and all subsequent generations.
“Women Wage Peace”, a non-partisan, non-denominational and independent movement founded by Israeli women, has been campaigning for peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians since the 2014 Gaza War. Together with her Palestinian sister organization “Women of the Sun,” which was founded in 2021 and also advocates for equality for women, she works for peace even in times of war.
“In a world marked by conflict, the courageous women of ‘Women Wage Peace’ and ‘Women of the Sun’ raise their voices for peace and justice in Vienna City Hall. Inspired by the vision of peaceful coexistence and solidarity, they fearlessly advocate for democracy and human rights across national and religious borders. “In addition, as Nobel Peace Prize candidates, they underline the importance of women in promoting peace and the call for a global alliance against anti-Semitism and racism,” explains Vienna’s City Councilor for Culture and Science Veronica Kaup-Hasler. “In the course of the Vienna lecture, we also want to remember the co-founder of ‘Woman Wage Peace’ – Vivian Silver – who was murdered by Hamas in the course of the barbaric terrorist attack on October 7th,” continued Kaup-Hasler.
Barbara Staudinger, Director of the Jewish Museum Vienna: “With our exhibition “PEACE”, at the historically significant Judenplatz, we were able to bring this important topic into the center of the city. In view of the war in Gaza, the topic has become more topical and, especially in times of war, we must uphold those civil society initiatives that fight for peace across all borders and conflict parties.”
Martin Weiss, President and Managing Director Salzburg Global Seminar: “Someone once said ‘Peace is not everything, but without peace everything is nothing’. Both are true. Once the guns speak, there is very little room left for reflection, conversation and vision.”
Angela Scharf, Women Wage Peace: “After 100 years of conflict driven primarily by men, it is now time for women to lead the way toward conflict resolution!”
Kefaia Msarwy, Women Wage Peace: “Together we call on the politicians of both peoples to work for a mutually respectful and consensual political solution that puts an end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.”
Reem Hajajrah, Women of the Sun: “Our call today is for swift intervention to resolve this deadly conflict that threatens the future of our children. We all need to stop ignoring the truth and express our opinions clearly: there is no solution other than a peaceful one.”
Further information at www.jmw.at and www.wienervorlesungen.at.
Questions & Contact:
Mag.a Natascha Golan Head of Press at the Jewish Museum Vienna Tel.: +43 699 15205554 Email: natascha.golan@jmw.at
Manuel Butschek Press department of the Jewish Museum Vienna Tel.: +43 664 88720198 Email: manuel.butschek@jmw.at
Alexander Hirschman Wien Holding – Corporate Communications Tel.: 01 408 25 69 – 13 E-Mail: a.hirschmann@wienholding.at
