Events and Activities of the Diplomatic Club since its creation
LAST EVENT
International Women's Day
Bernard Marks
March 1, 2004
In 1909 in a declaration by the
Socialist Party of America, the first National Women's Day was
observed across the
United States
on 28 February. This was to be a most significant day for the
removal of prejudice against women. It would revolutionize and
significantly change the position of women in society forever.
This tradition was continued worldwide
for many years motivated by a constant awareness by women of their
plight. The demand by women for equality and equal rights has
developed exponentially since the inception of the movement. The
year 1913 was especially significant as the women of the
Soviet Union
observed International Women’s Day at the end of February. This
was really a major milestone as it took place despite the obvious
objection of the Soviet regime.
Since that period the movement has grown
and support for Women’s rights has been a major factor within the
global political environment. Politicians and public officials
realized that they would have to recognize the rights of women, if
not; they would suffer the consequences of such actions,
Monday evening the 1st
February 2004, under the auspices of The Diplomatic Club,
International Women’s Day was celebrated in Tel Aviv at the David
Inter Continental Hotel. Before the official program, a reception
was held where the participants had the opportunity to meet and
renew friendships in a very congenial environment.
At the outset of the conference,
segments from the film “Calendar Girls” was shown. This set the
mood for the rest of the evening, a highly entertaining movie with
an underlying message of how women can and will succeed in the “
New World
”.
Mr. Daniel Pe’er welcomed the guests
and read greetings from Mrs. Jehan Sadat, former wife of the
assassinated President of
Egypt
and Mr. Gorbochev, former President of Russia. They extended their
good wishes to the participants at this conference, and wished
everybody successful deliberations. Mr. Gorbachev urged all parties
in this region to go back to the negotiating table and implored
diplomats present to assist and encourage the peace process. A
telephone link was established with Mrs. Zahira Kamil, Chairperson
of the organization for Palestinian Women in the Palestinian
Authority. The overriding theme of this conference was Crisis as
Opportunity
, which leads to the focus of peace and co-existence,
Professor Asa Kasher indulged in a
philosophical analysis of the foundation. He discussed the
motivation for war and terror. He analyzed the differences in the
attitude to war between Israel and the USA, the personalization of
the Israeli population relationship with combatants and the fallen,
the close ties of members of the same families serving in the
military together, the distance and lack of personal relationships
between the general population and the military in a nation such as
the USA. In addition he discussed the moral values and the
motivation for war, self defense against terror as opposed to war
for the capture of territories. He
also indicated the need to reevaluate the moral basis for war and
the reconsideration of how to create a new standard of international
law governing the waging of war. Professor Asa Kasher was the
recipient of the prestigious Israel Prize for Philosophy.
I dare say the requirement should rather
focus on ways of limiting war and creating a peaceful environment,
where all human beings may enjoy their natural birthrights, such as
food, education, medical care and freedom of expression and thought.
Mrs. Judy Moses Shalom spoke about the
skills and values that women contribute to society and to the major
role they can and should play. She emphasized that being a mother
adds value to the women’s role and contribution to society. She
touched on her role in the publishing industry, and clearly showed
that creating and using opportunities presented, allows women to
play a significant and vital role in society. Mrs. Judy Moses Shalom
is the wife of Silvan Shalom, Foreign minister of
Israel
.
An insightful overview of women in the
bureaucratic world of politics in
Israel
was provided by Mrs. Dorit Shalev. She is the Deputy Director in the
Foreign Ministry for the South American Desk. She shared her
progress and advancement in the organization, the assertiveness
required in order to gain recognition. Her success in the Foreign
office is a credit to her skills, abilities and determination. She
noted that within the workforce in
Israel
approximately 50% are women, but only 3-5% of senior management
positions are held by women. Still rather a staggering difference!
She assured the audience that no stone is left unturned in enhancing
the right of women to achieve and maintain an equitable position
Israeli society.
Mrs.Aida Touma-Suliman, General Director of “Women
against Violence” recognizes the problems of women and in
particular Palestinian women in
Israel
. She captured the audience’s attention with the program which her
organization implemented by assisting Arab women in distress. She
explained to the audience that a process of public bidding deprived
her organization of the use of premises where it had not only
provided services to women in distress, but also provided work for
twelve people. Women against violence had occupied these premises
for ten years.
Proudly Mrs.Aida Touma-Suliman presented
an overview of how the organization was progressing, despite the
difficulties they had encountered. They provide homes for battered
women, halfway homes, as well as many other social services.
She was most adamant that their is no
such entity as a fair war, also there is no way to increase the
moral value of war.
The final speaker was Dr Petra Heldt, an extremely
courageous woman who was a victim of a terrorist attack in the
market in
Jerusalem
; she was hospitalized at Hadassah En Karem in
Jerusalem
. Despite her personal
suffering she told the story of how the medical staff at the
hospital treated both victims and perpetrators with the same care.
It’s astonishing that this victim could speak proudly of the fact
that both victims and terrorists were treated with dignity and were
accorded the same medical attention.
“If
humanity worships human rights the anti-human will appear. Having
survived a terror attack, I experienced anti-human violence derived
from anti-human images. Renewal of humanity comes from the renewal
of its relationship to its creator.”
Finally
the participants were entertained by Dana International, an
entertainer-extraordinaire. She is full of vitality and displays a
wonderful zest for life. Her personal story is one of courage and
determination. A most appropriate ending to a stimulating evening.
Previous Activities and Events (1998-2003):
Our Club organized on 13.3.2001 a special
evening at the New Israeli
Opera,
in Tel Aviv, special guest was Mr. Ron Huldai, Mayor of Tel Aviv.
The program included:
* Art and Draw
* Fashion Show
* Music Program
* Dancing
Wines was offered by Carmel Mizrahi, also were complimentary beer, coffee and
cigar corner.
This date was precisely the International Women
Day, and this year was coinciding with the
Purim feast-day, a typical Jewish festivity similar for some habits to the
western Carnival.
FUTURE EVENTS
Visit
always our web site in order to be informed on our future events.
See you there!!!
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