We, U.S. Jewish women from the Boston , Massachusetts area, strongly endorse the message of our sisters and comrades in the Israeli feminist peace movement who have vigorously protested attempts to block the awarding of the Sydney Peace Prize to Hanan Mikhail Ashrawi. We stand with the Coalition of Women for Peace, representing nine Israeli women’s peace organizations, which has publicly declared its support for Ashrawi as “a devoted partner for peace—one who sets a worthy example of integrity and flexibility in promoting a solution to the conflict that is viable and enduring. . .”

We are among the hundreds of thousands of Jews in Israel , the U.S. and around the world who believe, along with the Coalition, that current Israeli government policies “are destructive and self-destructive, and that a necessary condition for ensuring Israel ’s security is to end the unlawful and oppressive occupation of Palestine .”

Ashrawi, as a frequent spokesperson for those living under the ugly conditions of that occupation, has become one of the most recognized and articulate voices of their struggle. This is surely one of the reasons the attacks on her have been so virulent. We want the people of Australia and elsewhere to know that there are strong, proud Jews everywhere who oppose and are deeply shamed by such attacks.

Hanan Mikhail Ashrawi deserves this prize; and those with the courage to resist attempts to deprive her of it deserve the thanks of all who value freedom and justice.

Jewish Women for Justice in Israel/Palestine