Women and the Peace Process

A great deal of interest has been generated lately by Tzipi Livni, Israel's foreign minister, as evidenced by the publication of a cover story interview with her last weekend in Haaretz magazine. Livni is one of the few women today in a position of power in Israeli politics (together with Dalia Itzik, also from the Kadima party, who now serves as the first woman speaker of the Knesset. She used to be a teacher, so when she calls all those unruly Knesset members to order, you better believe they listen!).

However, beyond the curiosity of a successful woman in what is traditionally a man's world, Livni has grown to be one of the most popular politicians in Israel today. Her personal record is impeccable; she is untainted by any of the corruption scandals that have left a coating of unremovable slime on many of Israel's current leaders. In fact, she received the Quality of Governance award already back in 2004 and she projects an honest, earnest, no-nonsense persona. She's extremely bright and ambitious and has worked discreetly, yet successfully to garner support from the international community for the freeze on contact with the Hamas government and sanctions on the Iranians, but without the macho bravado exhibited by so many of her predecessors. She's honest, level-headed and straight-forward, so much so that when I finished reading the article I considered giving up my guiding career to go to work for her.

Her stellar personal qualities notwithstanding, I think Tzipi Livni excels at being foreign minister for Israel in large part because she is a woman. In fact, I believe that the entire political arena in the Middle East would be transformed if the decisions here were made by women leaders instead of men. First of all, women are more conciliatory by nature; they are far more likely to seek compromise and avoid going to war than their testosterone-propelled male counterparts. If women were handling the negotiations over the return of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, chances are he would have been home long ago, together with the requisite number of Palestinian prisoners released in exchange. As mothers, women see the safety and happiness of their children as an ultimate objective. They have no need to flex muscles and make a show of strength - they just get the kids home as quickly and as efficiently as possible, and usually in such a way that there is no winner and loser - both sides come out victorious.

More importantly, however, all women of the world are members of the oppressed majority. Whether they live in the most liberated, enlightened societies or the most dictatorial, reactionary regimes all women have experienced fear and helplessness in the face of male aggression in one way or another. This common denominator creates a global sisterhood that reaches beyond language, culture and politics to foment a deep desire to heal the ills of the world and make it a better place for everyone.

I can already hear the men protesting through my dial-up connection, but please remember this: thus far, no combination of male leadership has managed to make serious headway in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Guys, move over and give the girls a chance. After all, 'conflict resolution ' is our middle name.