This study examines the evolution and impact of "political motherhood" as a strategic form of civil society action aimed at conflict cessation, positioning the Israeli experience within a crucial global context of women mobilizing for peace. The research conducts a comparative analysis of two pivotal periods of conflict: the 2000 withdrawal from Lebanon, driven in part by the movement “Four Mothers”, and the 2023–2025 Israel-Gaza conflict, represented by the “Moms on the Frontline”. By analyzing these movements, we illuminate how local actors in a highly militarized society leverage maternal identities for political ends a strategy observed in women’s anti-war movements worldwide. Drawing on media analysis, organizational documents, and interviews with leaders, we investigate how the Israeli groups framed their demands, navigated political polarization, and ultimately influenced public discourse and policy regarding conflict management and peace. The longitudinal comparison over a 25-year span tracks the shifts in the strategic utilization of the "political mother" persona, from its efficacy in compelling a major military withdrawal to its current adaptation in a highly polarized environment. The findings contribute to international scholarship on conflict resolution, political science, and gender studies, particularly concerning the Global Citizenship and Education for Peace theme and the wider Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda (e.g., UNSCR 1325). The research offers valuable insight into the enduring, yet changing, power of maternal narratives in national debates about security and the challenges faced by women-led peace efforts in high-conflict zones globally.

Authors:
Rakefet Erlich Ron, Beit Berl Collage, Israel

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Rakefet Erlich Ron is a sociologist specializing in social integration within divided, multi-identity societies. Her work focuses on managing controversial discourse and promoting equality to reduce polarization
in fragmented contexts.

Connect on ResearchGate
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rakefet-Erlich

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