War on Gaza: Feminists worldwide must stand in solidarity with Palestinian victims
As Palestinian women today, we find ourselves in a harrowing struggle, contending not only with an ever-present threat to our safety, but also with insidious patriarchal manipulation aimed at undermining our cause and our resistance.
Israel's systematic use of sexual violence against Palestinians has endured since the 1948 Nakba. This disturbing reality is not confined to Palestinian testimonies, but finds chilling corroboration in the accounts of retired Israeli soldiers implicated in massacres such as the one that unfolded in Tantura.
Even the writings of Israel's founding figures, such as David Ben Gurion, have provided stark evidence, as his diaries unflinchingly documented instances of rape perpetrated against Palestinian women during the ethnic cleansing of Palestine more than seven decades ago.
Embedded in the collective Palestinian consciousness is the horrific Deir Yassin massacre of April 1948, during which more than 100 Palestinians were slaughtered and women endured unspeakable horrors, including rape, before the eyes of their own children and families.
Survivors spoke of the harrowing ordeals they witnessed, with stories about sexual violence reverberating throughout neighbouring villages like wildfire, instilling terror and contributing to the forcible transfer of Palestinians, who sought refuge for the safety of their families.
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The same insidious tactic of weaponising patriarchy and exploiting the bodies of Palestinian women continues unabated amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
A damning UN report recently highlighted the shocking reality: "We are particularly distressed by reports that Palestinian women and girls in detention have also been subjected to multiple forms of sexual assault, such as being stripped naked and searched by male Israeli army officers. At least two female Palestinian detainees were reportedly raped while others were reportedly threatened with rape and sexual violence."
The phrase "at least" underscores the alarming truth that many cases remain undocumented, as victims fear the stigma and repercussions associated with speaking out about sexual violence within a patriarchal society reluctant to address such atrocities.
Ceaseless attacks
The alarming sexual violence against Palestinian women is in line with Israel's well-documented tactics of ethnic cleansing since the 1948 Nakba. Despite Israel's repeated declarations of its intent to ethnically cleanse Gaza, and its urging of Palestinians to leave the territory, around 300,000 people still remain in the northern region, which has come under ceaseless Israeli bombardment since 7 October.
Despite bombing and obliterating their homes, schools, hospitals, places of worship and every necessity for life, causing starvation and a looming famine, Israel has failed to achieve its objective of displacing Palestinians from their land. Sexual violence is thus one of the abhorrent tactics it is employing in the relentless campaign to terrorise Palestinians and push them to leave.
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The threat of sexual violence looms large, serving as a potent symbol of the world's denial of our humanity. The idea of losing control over our bodies instils in us a profound sense of terror, infiltrating our thoughts, desires and very sense of security.
Perhaps the most agonising aspect of this reality is the realisation that our bodies are being cynically weaponised by an occupying state, exploiting our own society's patriarchal norms to attack our collective resilience. This tactic is designed to fracture our spirits, sow fear and destabilise our resolve, just as it did during the Nakba.
The weaponisation of patriarchy against our bodies, our cause and our people is a reprehensible tactic that must be exposed and condemned
It is imperative to confront the reality that our society is deeply entrenched in patriarchal structures - and there is no shame in acknowledging this truth.
Addressing and dismantling this patriarchy is an internal challenge that requires our collective mobilisation and concerted efforts. Fortunately, there is no shortage of brilliant feminist Palestinian voices and activists ready to undertake this vital work.
Moreover, we must recognise that patriarchy itself has been historically weaponised as a colonial tool; a mechanism of oppression utilised to subjugate and silence women. Still, it remains profoundly distressing to witness this tool being wielded against our bodies, our cause and our people, perpetuating the cycle of oppression.
Voices silenced
As western and global media persist in denying our narratives, silencing our voices and perpetuating our dehumanisation, Palestinian women continue to endure various forms of violence under the yoke of a brutal and deeply patriarchal occupation that has savagely instrumentalised and violated our bodies for the past 75 years.
It's crucial to recognise that the colonial sexual violence inflicted upon us didn't suddenly commence after 7 October; rather, it's been a longstanding affliction. But the blatant disregard for the lives and dignity of Palestinian women during the recent genocide in Gaza should serve as a clarion call for every genuine feminist revolutionary worldwide.
In the face of the ongoing atrocities and sexual violence against Palestinian women, supported by evidence and testimonies, it is imperative for feminists worldwide to rise in solidarity and demand justice. The weaponisation of patriarchy against our bodies, our cause and our people is a reprehensible tactic that must be exposed and condemned.
We must also challenge the complicity of the global media and colonial "feminists" in perpetuating our dehumanisation and silencing our voices.
The time for action is now. We call upon feminist activists, organisations and allies to stand with Palestinian women, amplify our narratives and advocate for accountability and an end to Israel's occupation, siege and genocide. Let us work together to dismantle systems of oppression and build a world where the rights and dignity of all women are upheld and respected.
Our struggle is not ours alone; it is a universal fight for justice, equality and liberation - now more than ever. Join us in solidarity as we continue to resist and persist until every Palestinian is free from the shackles of violence and oppression.
The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye.
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