Mothers of Israeli Soldiers in Gaza Call for End to War in Unprecedented Movement

In an unprecedented movement, a group of Israeli mothers whose sons are serving as soldiers in Gaza has formed a new initiative called The Mothers’ Cry, demanding an end to the ongoing conflict. Despite being a minority view, these mothers are drawing inspiration from a previous successful protest by Israeli mothers in the Four Mothers movement, which played a crucial role in influencing public opinion and ultimately leading to the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon in 2000.

The anti-war mothers, who find themselves torn between their support for the nation and their desire to protect their sons, have kept their activism a secret from their soldier sons. Over 190 soldiers have lost their lives since troops invaded Gaza in late October, while more than 1,170 soldiers have been wounded. Despite these numbers, the overall sentiment in Israel remains supportive of the military campaign.

Although the anti-war mothers’ initiative has received limited public exposure, it has been gaining momentum and support. These mothers find inspiration from the courageous actions of Rachel Madpis Ben-Dor and the Four Mothers movement, urging them to take action. Madpis Ben-Dor, herself a leader in the Four Mothers movement, encourages these mothers to use their inherent nurturing instinct to save lives, emphasizing the importance of their voices in shaping public opinion.

The story of Michal Brody-Bareket, a mathematics professor and the founder of The Mothers’ Cry, starts during the sixth day of the Gaza war. On that day, Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, resulting in the death of 1,200 people and the capture of over 200 hostages. Brody-Bareket’s son, a 21-year-old soldier in a special forces unit, was deployed to Gaza, leaving her with immense anxiety and concern.

Reaching her breaking point, Brody-Bareket attended her very first protest demonstration, during which she was confronted by police and faced threats from passersby. Her sign, calling for negotiations for the release of the hostages, would ultimately align with Israel’s decision to negotiate with Hamas for the release of some hostages a month later.

During a brief furlough, Brody-Bareket’s son shared the horrific experiences he had witnessed in Gaza, conveying the emotional scars he will carry for a long time. The team he was part of faced both combatants and civilians, resulting in casualties on both sides.

Despite the challenges and difficulties they have encountered, The Mothers’ Cry held its first meeting in Tel Aviv, marking the beginning of their united plea for the Israeli government to end the war. These courageous mothers stand firm, advocating for a peaceful resolution that will ensure the safety of both their sons and innocent lives in Gaza.