The Mothers’ Call for Peace

A joint initiative by Women of the Sun led by Palestinian mothers and Women Wage Peace led by Israeli mothers

I had the unique and beautiful opportunity to photograph Reem Al-Hajajreh and Yael Admi while they were in Rome for the Mothers’ Call for Peace Barefoot Walk. Israeli and Palestinian mothers made a dangerous journey amidst ongoing bombings to gather in Rome and stand in solidarity with one another. Their powerful message is clear- they do not want their children to be killed or to become killers. Violence is a vicious cycle. Photography is the art of noticing, and I felt privileged to be a fly on the wall in their presence, witnessing their intelligence, dedication and drive. Reem, a Palestinian mother facing a terrible reality that the world cannot comprehend, stood in incredible courage and confidence. Yael, an Israeli mother swimming against the tide, expressed joy and fear with conviction. Reem and Yael showed me that women are spiritual connectors and earthly builders. They create new worlds from empathetic depths, forging a way forward while everything is falling apart around them. Their creativity, ingenuity and leadership silence the noise and pierce the heart of the tension, reminding the world what it means to be human. Patriarchy creates violence, and women continue to seek life. They hold hands across divides and power imbalances to denounce the destruction of humanity. Women push forward against criticism, condescending eye rolls, unspeakable pain, dehumanizing questions, and the box society has placed them in, staring death in the face and demanding that it not take their children, their hope. Thank you to Reem and Yael for allowing me to take your portraits and for teaching me about matriarchal peacebuilding. You are absolutely amazing.