On Tuesday, April 4, a video emerged of the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) brutalizing Palestinian women within the sacred walls of Al Aqsa mosque. The weapons of choice for these aggressors were the "butts" of their rifles, as they relentlessly beat these women. The aftermath of this barbaric act was recorded in a horrifying sight—the hijab of a Palestinian woman drenched in blood. As the screams of these women echoed through the halls, a voice behind the camera could be heard begging for help. Despite the appalling nature of this blatant human rights violation, the media remained virtually silent on the issue. At the same time, authoritative figures and governments turned a blind eye to the IOF's reprehensible conduct. Sadly, this isn't rare for Palestinians, particularly Palestinian women, who have long been subjected to systemic violence and oppression at the hands of the Israeli regime.
The Israeli occupation of Palestine has resulted in decades of violence and oppression. Palestinian women have been particularly impacted by this ongoing system of apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and genocide against their people. They have been deprived of their fundamental human rights and subjected to daily violence and abuse.
One of the most insidious aspects of the Israeli occupation is the systemic violence that Palestinian women face from Israeli soldiers and settlers. According to a report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), there were 86 incidents of gender-based violence against Palestinian women by Israeli forces in 2020 alone, not including unreported incidents of violence. The lack of updated data makes it difficult to entirely grasp the magnitude of the situation, including physical assault, harassment, and sexual violence, all of which are used as tools of control and intimidation. In addition to the direct violence, Palestinian women also suffer from the psychological trauma of living in constant fear and uncertainty without access to mental health resources.
Moreover, the Israeli government’s policies and practices are designed to marginalize Palestinian women further. For example, the construction of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem has displaced countless Palestinian families, leaving women and children particularly vulnerable. A 2019 report by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics found that over 40% of Palestinian households are headed by women, many of whom struggle to provide for their families due to economic and social barriers imposed by the Israeli occupation.
Women in Palestinian communities are often forced to endure long hours of waiting at Israeli military checkpoints, and they are frequently subjected to humiliating body searches and other degrading treatment. According to a survey conducted by the Palestinian Women’s Research and Documentation Center in 2018, 62% of Palestinian women had experienced some form of violence, including physical, sexual, and psychological abuse.
Palestinian women are also subject to discriminatory laws and policies that limit their access to education, healthcare, and other essential services. The Israeli government has implemented a range of measures that restrict freedom of movement for Palestinians, including constructing a separation wall that divides communities and disrupts daily life. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reports that Palestinian women have significantly lower employment rates than men, with only 19% of women participating in the labor force compared to 72% of men. This is partly due to restrictions on movement and access to education and job opportunities imposed by the Israeli occupation. The construction of the separation wall and Israeli settlements in the West Bank has further limited Palestinian women's access to resources and essential services such as healthcare and education. This has forced many women to take longer and more dangerous routes to access these services, putting them at risk of violence and harassment.
These restrictions have profoundly impacted Palestinian women's economic opportunities, with women facing higher unemployment rates than men and often confined to low-paying jobs in the informal sector. Additionally, employed women may face discrimination in hiring and promotion and a lack of access to safe transportation.
The limitations on movement and access to education and job opportunities have far-reaching consequences, not only on Palestinian women's economic prospects but also on their ability to exercise their fundamental human rights. Without access to education or job opportunities, women are more vulnerable to poverty and gender-based violence, which can have long-term effects on their physical and mental health, as well as their families and communities. The impact of these restrictions on Palestinian women highlights the urgent need for action to hold the Israeli government accountable and support Palestinian women in their struggle for justice and freedom.
It is essential to recognize that solidarity for Palestine means standing with all Palestinians, regardless of gender, age, or any other factors. Palestinian women face unique challenges as a result of the patriarchal system put in place for centuries while also being subjected to the consequences of occupation and apartheid inflicted on them, including limited access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities, as well as a disproportionate impact of Israeli policies such as home demolitions and land confiscation on their families and livelihoods. They are also subjected to gender-based violence and harassment, including sexual assault and physical abuse, often with impunity due to the lack of accountability for Israeli soldiers and settlers who commit these crimes.
By shining a light on the specific experiences of Palestinian women, we can gain a deeper understanding of the impact of the occupation on Palestinian society as a whole, as women are also at the forefront of this struggle and fight for liberation.
Despite the immense violence and trauma that Palestinian women face daily, they are some of the world's most robust and resilient women. Palestinian women have a rich history of activism and resistance and continue to be at the forefront of the struggle for justice and freedom. Icons like Leila Khaled, a Palestinian resistance fighter, Mona El-Kurd, and the many women who use tatreez, a traditional Palestinian embroidery technique, to convey messages of resistance and solidarity through their clothing are potent examples of Palestinian women's strength and ingenuity. Their stories and experiences can be a source of inspiration and empowerment for women everywhere who are seeking safety and power in their own lives.
Take Action: - Here are some ways you can provide support, aid, and empowerment to Palestinian women, children, and families.
Donate:
Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF)- Provide free surgery and other urgent aid to sick and injured children
Tomorrow's Youth Organization- Support Female Entrepreneurs in Palestine
Middle East Children's Alliance (MECA)- Provide food and relief for children and families in Gaza and Lebanon's refugee camps
UNRWA USA National Committee- Provide food and cash assistance to Palestine refugee families and orphans
Anera- Provide medical aid and food to families in Palestine and Lebanon
Read:
Decolonize This Place, CASBAH
Aime Cesaire, Discourse on Colonialism (1950)
Angela Davis, Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement (2015)
Frantz Fanon, The Wretched of the Earth (1961)
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