What Drives Palestinian Women Shot at Israeli Checkpoints to Their Deaths? - Israel News - Haaretz
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The Palestinians fear that talking about personal motives, including domestic violence and depression, will free Israel from responsibility for killing women who approach checkpoints armed with knives; but activists now want to distinguish between those who are planning to attack, and those seeking a way out.
Amira Hass Jun 12, 2016 2:05 AM
Concerning women who tried to stab Israelis or brandished knives, there is a large gap between what people are thinking and saying privately, and how the Palestinian media and authorities present the phenomenon. Until the death of Hadeel al-Hashlamoun, the common belief was that women who came to checkpoints and waved knives at soldiers wanted to be arrested – and in doing so escape whatever troubles they had at home: various forms of violence, an argument with their father or brother, untreated depression.
The code words were “social reasons,” as opposed to “nationalist reasons.” Officially and publicly, with the arrest, trial and release, the women were portrayed as people who went out to fight the occupation.
Over the past year, because of the growing number of incidents where Israeli soldiers kill Palestinians at the checkpoints, “the desire to be arrested for social reasons” has been replaced by “the intent to commit suicide.”
In a traditional and religious society that doesn’t view suicide positively, it’s possible that death at the hands of a soldier seems like a good way out. If death is a way out, it’s a sign that women don’t know how and who to turn to for help. The discussion of the danger of this growing phenomenon exists – mostly among feminist activists and at various civil society groups – but not openly.
When asked why, feminist activists gave Haaretz a number of answers. Especially at the beginning of the current privatized uprising, women were angry that people concluded that a young woman who joined the tide and tried to attack a soldier was suspected of being motivated by reasons not “nationalist.” They saw this as yet another sign of the belittling of women.
In addition, as a worker at a veteran feminist organization said, “Like the rest of the public, we reject the Israeli claims that every Palestinian, man or woman, who was killed at a checkpoint really did intend to attack a soldier or Israeli civilian. In any case, we’re convinced there was no need to kill. The soldiers today threaten us more than before – they’re more violent than ever.”
The Palestinians fear that the talk about personal motives will help exonerate Israel from responsibility for killing. But women activists in various organizations now want to distinguish between the two and focus on their social role, but far from the media spotlight.
“Not only women come to the checkpoints suspiciously and out of despair, but also young men,” said one activist.
“And no matter how much the despair may be for personal reasons, how is it possible to separate it from the younger generation’s general despair, which stems directly from the Israeli domination, not being able to make a living and effect change, the daily humiliation, the constant fear?”
