Amid the devastating conflict in Gaza, a small but resolute group of mothers is defying the tide of public opinion. These women, whose sons are soldiers fighting on the frontlines, have formed “The Mothers’ Cry,” a grassroots movement advocating for an end to the ground invasion.

Their journey began on the sixth day of the war, after a Hamas attack left them reeling. Rachel Madpis Ben-Dor, a veteran activist from the “Four Mothers” movement, offered stark advice: “Be a mother. You know exactly what to do. You are there to save lives, as simple as that.”

Michal Brody-Bareket, a math professor whose son serves in a special forces unit, heeded that call. Witnessing the toll on her son’s unit – one killed, eight wounded, stories of devastation – ignited her fire. Her first attempt at a protest, a solitary sign demanding negotiations, ended in police intervention and threats from passersby. Yet, she persisted.

Brody-Bareket opened a WhatsApp group, outlining arguments for withdrawal: the heavy price paid, the elusive Hamas leadership, the soldiers’ vulnerability, and the government’s perceived failures. The response was muted – only seven women attended their first meeting. Some shared their sons’ accounts of “Hiroshima-like” destruction, fueling their conviction.

“We want to encourage other solutions,” said Effi, another soldier’s mother, “but the shock is so palpable.” Despite their anxieties, these mothers are determined to support their sons and advocate for peace. Yifah Sahar, whose son participates in the conflict, embodies this duality: “You must fulfill your role,” she tells him, “and I must fulfill mine, and that is to advocate for peace.”

Their stance contrasts with another group, “Mothers of the Fighters,” who demand intensified action and resist pressure for de-escalation. Rina Shamir, whose husband and son fight in Gaza, exemplifies this perspective: “Let us win the war,” she shouts.

The anti-war efforts face hurdles. Police suppress their demonstrations, citing concerns about public safety. Noa Sattath, an advocate for civil rights, condemns this unprecedented crackdown, lamenting: “All the crackdown on freedom of expression and on freedom of protest is unprecedented.”

“The Mothers’ Cry” may be a modest force, but they are growing. Their presence in weekly protests amplifies their message. For Brody-Bareket, this nascent movement offers a glimmer of hope: “It gives me a lot of hope. I am not desperate anymore.” Yet, the weight of her mission – advocating for peace while her son battles in the shadow of war – remains a silent burden she carries alone.