The Jerusalem Link is the coordinating body of two
independent women's centers: Bat Shalom—The Jerusalem Women's Action
Center, located in West Jerusalem, and Marcaz al-Quds la
l-Nissah—The Jerusalem Center for Women, located in East
Jerusalem.
In 1989, a meeting was convened in Brussels
between prominent Israeli and Palestinian women peace activists. The
meeting initiated an on-going dialogue that in 1994 resulted in the
establishment of THE JERUSALEM LINK composed of two women's
organizations—BAT SHALOM on the Israeli side, and the JERUSALEM
CENTER FOR WOMEN on the Palestinian side. The two organizations
share a set of political principles, which serve as the foundation
for a cooperative model of co-existence between our respective
peoples.
Each organization is autonomous and takes its own
national constituency as its primary responsibility—but together we
promote a joint vision of a just peace, democracy, human rights, and
women's leadership. Mandated to advocate for peace and justice
between Israel and Palestine, we believe a viable solution of the
conflict between our two peoples must be based on recognition of the
right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and an
independent state alongside the state of Israel, Jerusalem as the
capital of both states, and a final settlement of all relevant
issues based on international law. |