Delegation of leading female figures within the Israeli Ultra-Orthodox community visit Belfast and London, 15th-18th November 2015

As part of the Irish peace process programme, Forward Thinking, in conjunction with the British Embassy in Tel Aviv, facilitated the visit to Belfast and London of a delegation of leading female figures from within Israel’s Ultra-Orthodox community, 15th-18th November.

The group were exposed to the Northern Irish experience of conflict and peacebuilding through an exploration of Belfast’s interface lines and conflict memorials, and through meeting academics, religious leaders, former paramilitary members and victims of violence, in addition to a cross-party meeting with Members of the Legislative Assembly. In London, the group met with members of the British Muslim community to discuss the need to break stereotypes, and with parliamentarians to reflect on their experiences.

The diversity in professions and political perspectives among the group created the conditions for lively and engaged discussions on the critical necessity of ‘social peacebuilding’ alongside any political settlement, the role of religious leadership in leading from the front where politicians may be unable or unwilling, and the challenges of humanising the other whilst living in fear.

The group expressed both surprise and measured hope as a result of their exploration of Northern Ireland’s imperfect peace process. The dream of a distant but theoretically utopian peace deal was met with the reality of the more immediate potential for an imperfect arrangement, and a scarred but nonetheless peaceful society. There was an acknowledgement that one did not make peace with one’s friends but must take bold steps to reconcile with one’s enemies, requiring risks and sacrifices on both sides.