The Role of Allyship in the WPS Community Amid the Genocide in Palestine

The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda is founded on the principles of advancing peace, security, and gender equality through the active participation and leadership of women and marginalized groups in peace processes. However, its mandate has often faced significant challenges when the international community navigates conflicts marked by historical complexities and contested political narratives, as is the case with Palestine. Since October 7, 2023, the situation in Gaza and the West Bank has escalated, with many experts and human rights organizations referring to it as a genocide against Palestinians by Israel. In such urgent circumstances, the role of allies becomes crucial—not only in amplifying the voices of activists on the ground but also in ensuring that their support does not inadvertently cause harm.

This contribution explores the responsibilities of allies within the WPS community [1] concerning Palestine. It will analyze how, in times of strained political climates, it is essential to amplify the voices of local peacebuilders and activists, providing them protection and space to lead. The discussion will also critique the potential pitfalls of international allyship, particularly when global actors risk sidelining or overshadowing the very communities they seek to support.

Amplifying Voices in Complex Political Contexts

The WPS agenda has always placed a high value on the inclusion of local voices, with UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 emphasizing the need for women to play an active role in conflict resolution and post-conflict recovery. In the context of Palestine, this principle holds more weight than ever. Palestinian women peacebuilders and activists have been at the forefront of advocating for their rights, resisting occupation, and promoting peace. However, it is widely recognized in peace and conflict studies that those most affected by the conflict are often silenced, as they are forced to navigate layers of political and social oppression that limit their ability to speak out. In such moments, the responsibility of allies is to ensure these marginalized voices are heard, without overshadowing their narrative or diverting attention to external actors.

Allyship within the WPS community must centre Palestinian activists as primary agents of change. This means amplifying their messages, perspectives, and demands without imposing external agendas or frameworks that do not align with the lived realities of those in Palestine. Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian, a leading scholar on gender, colonialism, and violence, has consistently highlighted the importance of local ownership in peace processes. Her work emphasizes that international actors must refrain from creating interventions that dismiss the historical and ongoing experiences of occupation and genocide, instead supporting Palestinian-led strategies for peace and security. The international WPS community must listen to activists like Shalhoub-Kevorkian and respect the narratives, strategies, and priorities that emerge from the ground.

The Risks of International Allyship

Allyship, though well-intentioned, can become harmful if it reinforces existing power imbalances. This is particularly relevant in Palestine, where international involvement often risks overshadowing the leadership of local activists. A prominent example of this is the risk of “saviorism”—the tendency of international actors from the Global North to take centre stage, believing that external interventions will resolve the conflict rather than acknowledging the agency and knowledge of those most affected.

Additionally, international allies often promote cross-border dialogue between women on opposing sides of conflicts. While dialogue is a key peacebuilding tool, these efforts can inadvertently place Palestinian women at greater risk, especially under occupation. Engaging in such initiatives may expose them to surveillance or retaliation. For example, Palestinian activists have been subjected to detention or harassment by Israeli authorities for their advocacy, as seen in cases like that of Ahed Tamimi, who faced arrest after her activism gained international attention. These risks often remain unaddressed in dialogues that fail to acknowledge the significant power imbalances between participants. Advocates may unintentionally push for “neutral” conversations that overlook these asymmetries, further endangering those they seek to support.

As activist and scholar Yara Hawari has argued, international actors can sometimes divert attention away from Palestinian narratives in an effort to remain “neutral” or to align with dominant geopolitical interests. This is not true allyship. Instead, allies must recognize that neutrality in such situations can be a form of complicity. By refusing to take a principled stand in support of those most marginalized, the WPS community risks perpetuating the very structures of oppression it seeks to dismantle.

Moreover, allies must be wary of the ways in which their involvement may inadvertently contribute to the surveillance or targeting of local activists. In conflict contexts, collaboration with international organizations can put local peacebuilders at risk, as they may be viewed as collaborators or targets by occupying forces or other actors. It is critical for international allies to consult local activists and peacebuilders about how to engage in ways that prioritize their safety and security.

Protecting Local Peacebuilders: The Ethical Duty of Allies

One of the core responsibilities of allies in strained political times is to ensure the protection of local peacebuilders and activists. In the context of Palestine, this requires a deep understanding of the local security landscape, as well as the ways in which international engagement can either protect or endanger those on the ground.

A key concern raised by scholars such as Rabab Abdulhadi is the intensified militarization of daily life under occupation, particularly how military practices disproportionately affect women and marginalized groups. Palestinian women peacebuilders are often subjected to harassment, detention, and violence by both State and non-State actors. While the WPS agenda emphasizes the protection of women in conflict zones, true protection requires much more than simply recognizing the unique risks faced by Palestinian activists. Despite widespread knowledge of the violence and repression they endure, the international community has largely failed to act. This inaction underscores a deeper systemic failure, highlighting the urgent need for allies not only to acknowledge these realities but to push for meaningful and immediate interventions that prioritize the safety and agency of Palestinian women peacebuilders.

Protection goes beyond physical safety; it also involves creating safe spaces for Palestinian voices to be heard and ensuring that international actors do not co-opt their work. This requires allies to adopt a "do no harm" approach to their advocacy and interventions, which includes recognizing the limits of their own knowledge and influence. According to Lisa Taraki, a sociologist and founding member of the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), international allies must avoid actions that could jeopardize local activists' legitimacy or autonomy. Instead, they should provide platforms that elevate Palestinian voices while remaining conscious of the need for local leadership and control.

The Importance of Context-Specific Support

Support for peacebuilders and activists in Palestine cannot be detached from the broader political and social context in which they operate. Since October 2023, the political situation in the region has become even more complex, with increasing violence, displacement, and human rights violations that human rights groups and genocide experts have likened to a systematic campaign of extermination of Palestinians perpetrated by Israel. Allies must be cognizant of these evolving dynamics and adapt their support strategies accordingly.

Context-specific support also means recognizing the intersectional struggles faced by Palestinian activists. As Rania Masri has noted, Palestinian women often face multiple layers of oppression—both from the occupation and from within their own communities. Allies must be prepared to address these intersecting challenges, offering support that is sensitive to the unique position of Palestinian women within the broader resistance movement.

Furthermore, allyship should extend to advocating for systemic change at the international level. This includes holding governments and international organizations accountable for their roles in perpetuating the conflict, as well as pushing for policies that protect the rights of Palestinian activists. For example, in 2024, South Africa brought a case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The ICJ issued provisional measures, urging Israel to halt its military operations and prevent further incitement to genocide. Allies can support similar legal actions by pressuring their governments to abide by international law, such as cooperating with ICJ rulings and supporting investigations at the International Criminal Court (ICC). The WPS community has a responsibility to advocate for a just and sustainable peace in Palestine—one that centres the voices and experiences of those most affected by the conflict.

Conclusion: A Call to Principled Allyship

The situation in Palestine demands a principled form of allyship that goes beyond symbolic gestures or surface-level support. For the WPS community, this means committing to a model of solidarity that amplifies Palestinian voices, protects local peacebuilders, and respects the leadership of those on the ground. Allyship in this context requires a careful balance between advocacy and humility—recognizing when to step back and allow Palestinian activists to lead, while also using international platforms to support their efforts.

As the genocide against Palestinians intensifies, the role of allies remains critical. While the path to peace may seem daunting, the WPS community must take concrete steps toward advocating for justice and accountability. This includes supporting legal actions like the ongoing ICJ case led by South Africa, pushing for adherence to international law, and actively advocating for governments to stop military aid to parties responsible for human rights violations. Under the WPS agenda, States and officials are obligated not only to uphold international law but also to ensure accountability for breaches such as genocide and human rights violations. Governments must comply with ICJ rulings and international obligations, making it crucial for the WPS community to pressure these actors to meet their legal and moral responsibilities. By focusing on these tangible measures, the WPS community can play a significant role in challenging the structures of oppression and holding perpetrators accountable, even in the face of an uncertain future. This commitment to action remains essential to upholding the principles of the WPS agenda and providing meaningful support to those on the front lines of the conflict.

[1] ‘WPS Community’ refers to the global network of actors involved in the implementation and advocacy of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, as outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and subsequent resolutions. This community includes international organizations (such as the UN), civil society groups, governments, peacebuilders, academics and activists working towards gender equality, women’s participation in peace processes, and the protection of women in conflict settings.

This piece was written by Katrina Leclerc in the October 2024 edited volume entitled "Palestine is a Canadian Women, Peace and Security Issue: Obligations and Opportunities," published by the Women, Peace and Security Network-Canada (WPSN-C)'s Palestine Working Group. Learn more: https://wpsn-canada.org/palestine-is-a-canadian-women-peace-and-security-issue-obligations-and-opportunities/