On Thursday and Friday, June 12th-13th, Geneva Initiative held a seminar for leading Israeli women.

Among the approximately 50 participants were municipality members, party members and women activists. About half of the women present were members of the leading Kadima, and several participants were Arab and Druze Israeli women.

The seminar began with a tour of the separation barrier in the northern West Bank-Sharon region, guided by Col. (Res.) Shaul Arieli.

Participants then heard opening statements by GI Director General Gadi Baltiansky and a lecture by Arieli on key issues in the Israeli-Paestinian conflict.

On Friday, Palestinian negotiator Sufian Abu Zaydeh, a GI signtory and former minister, spoke to participants, providing them with a Palestinian perspective. Next, the audience heard a panel discussion between MKs Colette Avital (Labor) and Isaac Ben Israel.

The final session was a lecture by Brig. Gen. (ret.) Israela Oron on manners in which women can be successfully integrated into the diplomatic and political systems.