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Between the Lines: the Story of Machsom Watch

Lesley University

This article tells the story of Machsom Watch, a group that was founded in January 2001 in response to repeated reports in the press about human rights abuses of Palestinians crossing army checkpoints. The excessive Israeli response to the El Aksa Intifada, the prolonged closure and siege of villages and towns on the West Bank, provided the stimulus and the motivation for what at first seemed an impossible mission. The author, an Israeli peace activist and expressive therapist, explores the difficulties and strengths of the activists. She describes the political background of Israeli women peace activism from the first intifada (1987) until today and discusses, from a feminist perspective, the moral action of Israeli women's peace groups challenging militaristic Israeli society. The article describes the unique and radical actions of this group. The conflict between the identities of peace activist and Israeli citizen causes the activists to experience painful doubts about their self-identities.

Key Words: Israel • women's activism • peace activism • resistance against the occupation

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