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Since the outbreak of the war on October 7, 2023, the entire state of Israel has been in an ongoing state of emergency. Research literature has shown that wartime and emergency periods impact different social groups and sectors in different ways, with the disadvantaged populations as the most vulnerable. This report was written with the purpose of outlining the situation of women in East Jerusalem during the war, discussing rising issues and offering policy recommendations to deal with the problems and challenges facing decision-makers.

Publication Date: November 23, 2023
Writer: Jeanne Ben-Kalifa, Noy Mordekovitch

Background

On Wednesday, November 22, 2023, the Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research in collaboration with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom held an online meeting (via Zoom) on the impact of the war on East Jerusalem women. The meeting included simultaneous interpreting to Hebrew and Arabic, with about 70 East Jerusalem residents in participation, alongside social activists, East Jerusalem civil social organization representatives, researchers and representatives of Israeli authorities.

Below is a summary of the key issues raised in the meeting in the words of the East Jerusalem women and from their perspective (completed using other sources where necessary). Furthermore, to present a full picture of the current status, the Institute conducted a digital sharing process aimed at East Jerusalem women. Digital sharing was conducted via the Raizit public participation platform. It included a questionnaire in Arabic with open and closed questions on the impact of the war on the women of East Jerusalem in the different areas of life.

As mentioned in our previous reports, the meetings show that East Jerusalem is currently in a very delicate and sensitive state of repressed pressure, which at this stage has not yet reached a boiling point, but it may be getting closer. The purpose of the meetings is to get a more comprehensive understanding of current issues and formulate operative recommendations and potential solutions for decision-makers and authorities to use in order to respond to the residents, protect their rights, and prevent escalation in this sensitive area. (See details in the full document)

Summary of the Report

Full Report (Hebrew)