Rivi Diamond was one of the original Women Wage Peace organizers. She tells her story from Gilo (occupied territories). 2020

Beginning in 2014, in the aftermath of the previous Gaza war, a handful of Israeli and Palestinian women had a vision. These peace activists were grassroots. They pioneered a new mission in Israel and Palestine to build peace. They used a proven strategy based on the success of similar efforts in Ireland and Liberia. It aimed to address the long-standing conflict between their peoples. This is how “Women Wage Peace” was born.

For the past decade, “Women Wage Peace” has pursued its mission by adopting a feminist-inclusive leadership style. Despite the enormous challenges of advocating for peace in a war zone, this approach has fueled broad support and rapid growth.

Rafa Musmar, Palestinian journalist, describes life under Israeli occupation in Palestine (correct spelling). Beit Jala, West Bank. 2020

The organization grew to over 45,000 members, consistently drawing tens of thousands to their rallies, marches and events all across Israel. And despite their progress at developing deep connections between both sides of the conflict, little was done by political leadership in Israel and Palestine to embrace their cause.

Then came October 7th, and everything changed. Among the over 1,000 Israelis killed by Palestinian terrorists on that day was a woman named Vivian Silver, one of the founders of ‘Women Wage Peace’.  In her memory, the organization and her family haven’t wavered from their mission to find peace and reconciliation. They have in fact continued their struggle within Israeli society to call for ceasefire and an end of he occupation. Warriors of the Heart: Peacemakers in the Holy Land carries on with with its work documenting this extraordinary organization and its Palestinian partners through this troubled time.

Two Israeli and Palestinian organizers of ‘Women Wage Peace’, Israeli Lili Weisberger and Palestinian Huda Abuarquob, are walking arm in arm. They are leading the March of the Mothers – 2016.

Since 2016, Robert Corsini and his partner Stephen L. Fiske have traveled often to West Bank and Jerusalem developing their Warriors of the Heart narratives and tracking the progress of these women and other organizations dedicated to creating a movement of person-to-person engagement in the midst of war, entrenched patriarchy, and an oppressive ‘architecture’ of separation.

Warriors of the Heart: Women Wage Peace will eventually be crafted into a feature documentary about an inclusive feminist activist movement, facing tremendous odds regarding the great struggles of their region.