Flame of Hope Marches with Barefoot Walk for Peace in Rome

Photos courtesy of Alessandro Guarino

On March 24, 2026, the Flame of Hope joined Israeli and Palestinian mothers and their allies in walking barefoot through the streets of Rome—a powerful symbol of both vulnerability and strength—in a shared call to protect the future of every child.

The Barefoot Walk: Mothers’ Call for Peace is a global movement led by Israeli and Palestinian mothers standing together to inspire hope and help end the cycle of violence. Spearheaded by Women of the Sun (Palestine) and Women Wage Peace (Israel), the walk calls for the urgent inclusion of women, mothers, and their communities in shaping a just and lasting peace.

"In Israel, in Palestine, in Lebanon, in Iran, in all the regions, all the mothers are crying," said Dr. Yael Admi, co-founder and chairperson of Women Wage Peace and co-founder of Mother's Call. "We don't want our children to be killed, and we don't want them to kill anyone."

"The voice of the Mother's Call is not just the voice of a Palestinian or an Israeli mother," said Reem Hajajreh, founder and director of Women of the Sun and co-founder of Mother's Call. "It's the voice of every mother throughout the world. Your stance with us today is a stance with humanity."

During the march in Rome, Jun Ichikawa, Flame of Hope Ambassador for Italy, walked alongside Dr. Admi and Ms. Hajajreh, who have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

"Being alongside these courageous and determined women was truly inspiring," said Ms. Ichikawa. "Walking together reminded me how much we share: the same rhythm, the same ground beneath our feet, the same desire for peace."

The Barefoot Walk coincided with the Flame of Hope becoming an official partner of The World March for Peace and Nonviolence – Peacewalk, a global peace pilgrimage that began in Finisterre, Spain, and will cross Europe to reach Jerusalem in June 2027.

On February 1st, 2026, the Flame of Hope had the honour of participating in the launch of Peacewalk, whose primary aim is to raise awareness and call for a solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, as well as to the many other conflicts that continue to escalate across the planet. The Peacewalk is not only a walk—it is a conscious call to humanity.

“This is a walk for justice, peace, and human dignity," says Rikko Vorberg, co-organizer of Peacewalk. "A nonviolent, grassroots action, uniting voices that oppose oppression, occupation, and violence, in favour of reconciliation, equality, and peace for all.”

The World March for Peace will create multiple moments of connection in key cities across Europe and beyond, including Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Sarajevo, Istanbul, and many more, on the way to Jerusalem in 2027.