Gender & Genocide: The Plight of Women in Palestine

Amidst the headlines of geopolitical turmoil and diplomatic dispute, there exists a narrative often overlooked

The story of Palestinian women.

In the shadow of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, voices echo with resilience and defiance, calling for recognition and solidarity from across the globe From the streets of Gaza to the West Bank, Palestinian women navigate a landscape of hardship and struggle, yet they continue to stand firm, demanding attention and action.

We gain a glimpse into the realities faced by Palestinian women through testimonies of unspeakable hardship and suffering Their voices demand to be heard – for theirs is a narrative of survival, strength, and unwavering determination.

Recent headlines may paint the Israeli - Palestinian conflict as a sudden eruption of violence, but its roots run deep in a history plagued by oppression The establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, known as the Nakba or "Catastrophe," set the stage for decades of conflict and resistance. Armed Zionist militias forcibly displaced hundreds of thousands Palestinians and subjected them to widespread violence, including massacres, rapes, and humiliation The Nakba shattered communities, destroyed homes, and upended livelihoods, casting a dark shadow over Palestine that continues to shape the ongoing conflict today

Following wars, including the Six-Day War in 1967, further escalated the conflict, resulting in the occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip by Israeli forces. With recent events capturing global attention, it is essential to recognize that the current violence is not a new occurrence but a continuation of historical injustices

The effects of military control, settler colonialism, and displacement have had a devastating impact on Palestinian communities, exacerbating existing inequalities and vulnerabilities The fragmentation of Palestinian communities due to the construction of Israeli settlements and the separation barrier has further marginalized women. The separation barrier, often referred to as the Israeli West Bank barrier, consists of a combination of fences, walls, and checkpoints According to the OCHA “Movement and Access in the West Bank” Fact Sheet, “OCHA documented 565 movement obstacles in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and excluding H2 These include 49 checkpoints constantly staffed by Israeli forces or private security companies, 139 occasionally staffed checkpoints, 304 roadblocks, earth-mounds and road gates, and 73 earth walls, road barriers and trenches ” (1) The barrier disproportionately affects women and children Palestinian women in areas under occupation face daily challenges, including arbitrary detention, harassment at checkpoints, and violence from Israeli settlers and soldiers

Recent testimonies documented by EuroMed Human Rights Monitor, gives a glimpse of the physical and psychological torment that is inflicted upon women during their detention

The women endured a litany of atrocities, including sexual violence, torture, inhuman treatment, strip searches, sexual harassment, and rape.

A 45-year-old woman from Gaza City's Sheikh Radwan area, identified as 'N.H.', shared her harrowing experience with the Euro-Med Monitor team. She was arrested by Israeli forces on December 28, 2023, taken from a UN-operated school housing refugees and held captive for 43 days According to N H , the Israeli army stormed the school at dawn and the women were ordered to go into a room for a “medical check-up” After entering the room, said N H , “We were searched while we were completely naked, inside a closed-off area, and the female soldiers beat us severely and continuously.” (2). She described the indignity of being detained in conditions like "a cage for animals," (2) shackled in cold with no access to basic necessities or medical care Even after release, the trauma persisted as she faced threats of being separated from her children if she didn't cooperate with Israeli investigators

Throughout it all, she endured constant harassment, with soldiers callously photographing her suffering without regard for her well-being

In further testimony, a 20-year-old resident of the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, identified as "S.D.," recalled her 50 days of detention. She vividly described her arrest: her hands tied behind her back, blindfolded, and subjected to a violating search “The conditions of detention were extremely harsh; I strained a muscle in my handcuffed hand and an Israeli female soldier struck me hard on my back when I attempted to move,” S D told Euro-Med Monitor “We were left on a sidewalk for approximately an hour before being given gray prison clothes. We were then made to walk in a line while being teased and humiliated. Afterward, we were taken to a location that resembled a hellish cage, where we were deprived of basic necessities like food and toilets " (2) She continued sharing the brutality and unsanitary conditions they were victims to, "We were subjected to nasty verbal abuse and foul language," "We were only allowed to use sanitary pads in extremely small amounts not enough for even a single day and bathe infrequently " (2) The mistreatment did not end there. The soldiers continued harassing them and prevented them from praying. After eight days, S D was transferred to Damon Prison, where she faced further brutality "One of the female soldiers took the blindfold off my eyes and asked me to kiss the Israeli flag during the transfer process," she said. (2) She refused and suffered severe beatings and continued assault for retaliation

The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor's documentation reveals the deliberate tactics employed by Israeli forces to instill fear and degradation. The women described feeling utterly powerless and stripped of their dignity as they were subjected to verbal abuse and humiliation The threat of sexual violence loomed ominously, used as a tool of coercion to force compliance and silence dissent These testimonies not only highlight the urgent need for accountability for the perpetrators of these crimes but also underscore the importance of international solidarity in supporting Palestinian women's rights. We must be actively advocating for an end to the systemic violence and discrimination they face By amplifying their voices and bearing witness to their suffering, we can contribute to the broader struggle for justice and dignity for all Palestinians.

Global solidarity plays a crucial role in advocating for Palestinian Rights We must stand in solidarity with Palestinian women, individuals and organizations worldwide and demand accountability for the injustices they face. International advocacy efforts shed light on the systemic violations of human rights and gender equality perpetuated by Israeli authorities, bringing attention to the urgent need for change. It's essential to recognize that similar challenges exist for women in other conflict zones. The interconnectedness of conflicts goes beyond politics and into their shared impact on women's lives and rights Women in these regions face similar struggles against systemic oppression, violence, and marginalization, rooted in intersecting forms of discrimination

As we bear witness to the atrocities, we must take immediate and concrete action. Advocacy is crucial in holding accountable those responsible for perpetuating injustice Advocacy must integrate into everyday conversations to foster greater awareness and empathy

By initiating conversation addressing the harsh realities of occupation and conflict, we can actively educate and nurture solidarity We must support initiatives, organizations, and advocacy efforts prioritizing those facing injustice These efforts include providing support to grassroots organizations that empower Palestinians, advocating for policy changes that address gender-based discrimination and violence, and demanding accountability for human rights violations perpetrated against women and children in conflict zones Individuals can engage in solidarity actions such as boycotts, divestment, and sanctions to pressure governments and corporations to respect Palestinian rights and uphold international law

Reflecting on the testimonies of Palestinian women, it becomes clear that their voices must not be silenced or overlooked Addressing the atrocities faced by Palestinian women is not just a moral imperative but a call to action for all of us Let us not be bystanders to the suffering, but active participants in the journey toward justice and equality Let us pledge to be agents of change, to challenge oppression wherever it exists, and to work tirelessly towards a future where every woman, regardless of her background, can thrive in a world free from violence and discrimination.

From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free!

WE CALL FOR IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE & STAND WITH PALESTINE!

1) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) "Movement Restrictions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory - 2023 "Accessed [March 2024] [URL: https://www ochaopt org/2023-movement]

(2) Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor "In testimonies to Euro-Med Monitor, women from Gaza report being subjected to sexual violence, torture by Israeli forces." Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor Accessed [March 2024] [URL: https://euromedmonitor.org/en/article/6188/ In-testimonies-to-Euro-Med-Monitor,women-from-Gaza-report-being-subjectedto-sexual-violence,-torture-by-Israeliforces]