More than 1,250 Israeli women and nine civil society organizations answer the Lebanese President’s appeal for a different future in the region.
More than 1,250 Israeli women and nine Israeli civil society organizations have sent an open letter to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun following his recent interview with Christiane Amanpour, in which he addressed the Israeli public directly and asked: “Do you really want to live in an endless war?”
In their letter, entitled “We Refuse Endless War,” the signatories respond unequivocally: “Our answer is no.”
The organizations behind the initiative include the Women’s Cabinet – Security, Policy and Society, The Middle East Treaty Organization, Women Wage Peace, Mothers’ Cry, the Israeli-Palestinian Bereaved Families Forum, Itach-Maaki – Women Lawyers for Social Justice, Forum 1325 for the Advancement of a Political Agreement, Awake Mother, and Parents of Soldiers Cry Enough!
“We were deeply moved to hear a Lebanese president speak directly to the Israeli public and raise the possibility of a different future,” the initiators said. “At a time when the voices of war dominate public discourse, such a message carries special significance.”
The letter acknowledges the suffering experienced by civilians on both sides of the border and expresses solidarity with families in Lebanon and Israel who have lost loved ones, been displaced, or continue to live under fear and uncertainty.
Rejecting the notion that war is inevitable, the signatories write: “Too many leaders in our region have grown accustomed to speaking only the language of force, as if war were destiny rather than a choice. We refuse to accept this.”
They call for peace between Israel and Lebanon to be recognized as a legitimate and achievable objective.
“We believe it is time to speak openly about peace between Israel and Lebanon—not out of naivety, but out of hope, responsibility, and the understanding that no military solution can provide either people with the future they deserve.”
“The outstretched hand of dialogue from a Lebanese leader represents a different voice in the Middle East,” the initiators added. “Despite the challenges and divisions, citizens have a responsibility to continue advocating for a future based on shared security, cooperation, and diplomacy.”
The letter concludes:
“For the sake of future generations in both our countries, we choose hope over fear, dialogue over hostility, and peace over endless war.”
Middle East Treaty Organization
