As Israeli, Palestinian and International women leaders and activists, members of the IWC, dedicated to the goal of ending the occupation and achieving a just and sustainable Palestinian-Israeli peace based on a two-state solution, committed to the respect of international law, human rights and equality, we are alarmed at the escalating use of force and violence that threatens to destroy all options for creating a humane future for ourselves and our children.

WE CALL on the government of Israel to immediately cease its war on the civilian population of Gaza and withdraw its armed forces.

We demand the cessation of the irresponsible and totally unacceptable policy of deprivation and collective punishment. The destruction of power stations and infrastructure has denied access to water and electricity to over two-thirds of the population, which has aggravated an already deteriorating situation due to the long-standing siege imposed. Today the humanitarian crisis is reaching unprecedented proportions.

WE CALL on the international community to exercise its responsibility for the protection of human security, human rights, and the fundamental rights of all to live in an environment of peace and security, free from occupation, oppression and the arbitrary use of force as stipulated in international law and human rights conventions.

We call for an exchange of prisoners and an end to the targeting of innocent civilians, Palestinian and Israeli.

History has proven that such conflicts have no military solutions and we call for the immediate return to the path of negotiations

Israeli members:

Ms. Amal Elsana Alhjooj

Ms. Anat Saragusti

Ms. Aida Touma-Sliman

Ms. Busayna Dabit

Ms. Deborah Lerman

Ms. Galia Golan

Ms. Khulood Badawi

Ms. Molly Malekar

Ms. Nurit Haghagh

Ms. Naomi Chazan

Ms. Naava Eisin

Ms. Rola Hamed (Abu Zied)

Ms. Sarai Aharoni

Ms. Zehava Galon

Palestinian Members:

Ms. Amal Khreisheh

Ms. Annan Attiri

Ms. Hannan Taha

Ms. Hania Bitar

Ms. Hanan Ashrawi

Ms. Lama Hourani

Ms. Maha Abu Dayyeh

Ms. May Keileh

Ms. Nebras Bseisso

Ms. Naela Ayesh

Ms. Samia Bamia

Ms. Salwa Hudeib

Ms. Siham Barghouti

Ms. Samar Hawash

Ms. Tahani Abu Daqqa

Ms. Wafa' Abdel-Rahman

Ms. Zahira Kamal

International Members:

Ms. Antigoni Karali-Dimitriadi, Representative to UN CSW, CEDAW 1998-2004, Greece

Ms. Frene Ginwala, former Speaker of Parliament, South Africa

Ms. Luisa Morgantini, Member of European Parliament (Italy), Chair of the European Parliament Development Committee.

Ms. Jessica Neuwirth, Director, Equality Now (USA)

Ms. Sylvia Borren, Executive Director Oxfam-Novib, Netherlands

Ms. Simone Susskind, Advisor Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice, Belgium

IWC is an International body of Palestinian, Israeli and International established under the umbrella of UNIFEM in 2003 in accordance with 1325 UN Resolution.