Mothers’ Call for Hope and Peace: Rebuilding Hope and Advancing Israeli-Palestinian Partnership through Women’s Leadership with Catherine Shomali and Dr. Yael Braudo-Bahat (Episode #166)

In this eye-opening episode of Vision Beyond Sight, Dr. Lynn Hellerstein sits down with two women whose presence together could surprise you: Catherine Shomali—from Bethlehem, Palestine, a public relations professional with the Women of the Sun Association, mother, grandmother and former teacher—and Dr. Yael Braudo-Bahat—from Tel Aviv, Israel, co-director of Women Wage Peace, activist, peacebuilder, mother, and former legal scholar—for a powerful talk about women’s leadership and cooperation in transforming conflict, rebuilding hope and advancing Israeli-Palestinian partnership during and after war. With Women of the Sun and Women Wage Peace working together, they share their personal journeys and the courage it takes to build bridges across one of the world’s most difficult conflicts, all for a vision of peace.

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Choosing Hope Over Despair

Catherine and Yael are both driven by a desire to create a future where their children and grandchildren can live safely and peacefully. Catherine was inspired by the vision and courage of Women of the Sun’s leadership and the belief that Palestinians and Israelis can one day live together in harmony.

For Yael, years of frustration over the conflict changed when she became involved with Women Wage Peace in 2016. After experiencing a renewed sense of hope, she left her career in legal academia to dedicate herself fully to peacebuilding. Both women believe that Israelis and Palestinians are here to stay—and must find a peaceful way to live together.

Needing Women Around the Table

Catherine and Yael discuss why women are essential to peacebuilding and security. Women often bring perspectives rooted in their families and communities. In 2000, the UN Security Council issued Resolution 1325, that proves when women are on the table, conflicts are resolved faster and agreements are more stable. They emphasize the importance of women having a seat at the table—not simply representing political agendas, but bringing the voices and realities of their communities into negotiations and policymaking.

“To reach sustainable peace, we need women around the table.”

Mothers’ Call and the Barefoot Walk

Women Wage Peace began working with Palestinian women from its early years. In 2019, Israeli and Palestinian women spent months building a shared understanding of concepts such as freedom and security. Their conversations eventually led to the Mothers’ Call, a joint vision and commitment to peace.

In 2022, Palestinian women established Women of the Sun, creating a movement dedicated to empowering women and building peace from the grassroots. Catherine recalls how her relationships with Israeli women grew beyond politics and conflict as they came to know one another’s families and formed deep bonds.

The Barefoot Walk: Mothers’ Call for Peace in Rome brought women from around the world together in solidarity. While Catherine recognizes that one event cannot immediately change a conflict, she sees these efforts as important steps toward a future where women are included in meaningful peace negotiations.

More Conviction After the October 7 Attacks

The October 7 attacks deeply affected both movements. Women of the Sun faced accusations of betrayal for continuing to work with Israeli women. Yael recalled the loss of a Women Wage Peace leader and mentor. Rather than ending their work, the tragedy strengthened their determination to continue building peace.

Catherine and Yael remain committed to communication, believing that understanding the other side requires reaching out, listening, and building relationships. Through initiatives such as Voices of Change and Ambassadors of 1325, they continue educating and empowering women at the grassroots level.

A Vision Beyond the Conflict

Catherine and Yael ask listeners not to give up on the people working for peace on both sides. They encourage people to learn about their work, share the story of the Mothers’ Call, and support efforts that bring Israeli and Palestinian women together.

Beyond the conflict, beyond the fear, and beyond the divisions, there’s a bigger vision: peace.

ABOUT Catherine Shomali:

Catherine Shomali is a public relations professional currently working with the Women of the Sun Association. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and spent over a decade working as a dedicated teacher, shaping and inspiring young minds.

Driven by a passion for growth and leadership, Catherine pursued further academic achievement and recently earned her Master’s degree in Leadership and Strategic Management. Her career reflects a strong commitment to education, community engagement, and personal development.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Catherine considers her greatest achievement to be her family. She is a proud mother of two daughters and one son, and a loving grandmother to five grandchildren, who are her constant source of strength and motivation.

In her personal time, she enjoys painting and reading, finding in them both inspiration and balance.

ABOUT Dr. Yael Braudo-Bahat:

Dr. Yael Braudo-Bahat is the Co-Director of Women Wage Peace, one of Israel’s largest grassroots movements, bringing together tens of thousands of Jewish and Arab women working to advance a secure future through political solutions and women’s leadership.

Before joining the movement’s professional staff in 2020, Yael volunteered with Women Wage Peace since 2016 while building a career as a legal scholar, lecturer, and editor. She holds a Ph.D. in Law from Tel Aviv University and has spent years working at the intersection of women’s rights, civil society, and social change.

Women Wage Peace works across Israeli society – bringing together Jewish and Arab women, religious and secular women, from cities, towns, villages, and communities throughout the country. Through grassroots organizing, public campaigns, leadership development, and dialogue, the movement works to restore hope, strengthen civil society, and build broad public support for a political future beyond the conflict.

In 2022, together with its Palestinian partner movement, Women of the Sun, Women Wage Peace launched the Mothers’ Call – a joint appeal calling for a negotiated political agreement that ensures freedom, dignity, security, and peace for both peoples. Since October 7, the partnership between the two movements has become even stronger, demonstrating that even in the darkest times, courageous women can continue working together for a shared future.

Yael is also a mother, and her commitment to this work is grounded in the belief that future generations deserve a different reality.

SUPPORT the Mothers’ Call:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Sign the Mothers’ Call petition and learn more about the partnership, their actions and ways to support:
mothers-call.org/mothers-call/#petition

CONNECT with Catherine Shomali and Women of the Sun:

LinkTree | Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitter |

CONNECT with Dr. Yael Braudo-Bahat and Women Wage Peace:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitter

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Dr. Lynn Hellerstein, Developmental Optometrist, RIM Facilitator, award-winning author and international speaker, holds powerful and inspiring conversations with her guests in the areas of health, wellness, education, sports and psychology. They share their inspirational stories of healing and transformation through their vision expansion. Vision Beyond Sight Podcast will help you see with clarity, gain courage and confidence. Welcome to Vision Beyond Sight!

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