A message from the chair.

There is no way we can publish this newsletter without giving the economic and security situation in Israel some serious thought, especially its impact on women on a daily basis.

There has been a shocking wave of murders of women by their partners with 11 women murdered this year in Israel. IWN has protested these murders by organizing two successful demonstrations together with other women's organizations at times that coincided with the opening of criminal proceedings against the alleged murderers. The unprecedented rise in unemployment has meant that more women are now without jobs--recent studies and statistics show that women are the first targets of layoffs in recession. The IWN legal hotline gives women advice as to their rights at work and represents some cases of unfair dismissal. The proposed budget cuts will further worsen conditions for women in Israel hitting those whose survival is already a difficult task. IWN is a leading member in the coalition of social organizations working against the proposed budget cuts.

IWN more than ever must work to protest wrong doings while taking action to change the status quo in Israel for women. We believe that one of the best ways of doing this is to ensure that more women run and be elected in both National and Local elections, thus ensuring that women's issues will be brought to the forefront of political and social agendas. With National and Municipal elections taking place in 2003/4, the IWN is organizing conferences with the participation of MK's, Mayors, Deputy Mayors, Municipal Councillors and women showing potential to run for office to provide encouragement, information and tools to these women, increasing their chances of success. A charter is also being drawn which will declare support for women's involvement in politics and fair representation of women at all levels of the political arena.

It has been a difficult year all round but the IWN remains optimistic, trying to make a difference wherever possible. May we take this opportunity to wish all our friends and supporters Shana Tova and an ongoing hope for peace.