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Palestinian women are suffering more than their share of oppression. In
fact they have borne the brunt in this conflict. Restrictions on
mobility, refusal or delay of women at Israeli army checkpoints,
blockades and curfews, have caused problems for Palestinian women.
These problems have resulted in the death of many female patients who
were in dire need of medical care while the Israeli authorities refused
them free passage.
Many
women have given birth at the Israeli checkpoints or by the roadside.
Many have lost their babies due to the Israeli lack of concern for
Palestinian life. Needless to say, Palestinian women have developed
anxiety problems just thinking of what they must go through to get to
facilities for their unborn children. Rula Ashtiya was forced to give
birth on a dirt road by the Beir Furik checkpoint after Israeli soldiers
refused to let her through to Nablus hospital. Shortly thereafter her
baby died.
“…At
the checkpoint there were several soldiers; they ignored us…I crawled
behind a concrete block by the checkpoint to have some privacy and gave
birth there, in the dust, like an animal. I held the baby in my arms
and she moved a little but after a few minutes she died in my arms.”
Israel is an occupying power. It has obligations under international
law to ensure adequate medical care for all those in the
West
Bank
and Gaza. This is according to the Fourth Geneva Convention. Israel
has no regard for the Geneva Conventions.
Palestinian women have other medical problems too. Pregnant Palestinian
women are suffering from anemia in great numbers. On account of Israeli
restrictions the survival rate of women with breast cancer is extremely
low.
Palestinian women who wish to work or must work to survive are being
denied this opportunity by the Israeli checkpoints, blockades, curfews,
and the special access routes designed for the Jews.
The
Israeli house demolitions have been particularly hard on Palestinian
women and children. This Israeli method has left many women and
children destitute and homeless. Extreme family tensions have been
caused by these demolitions which cause the women extreme anguish.
We
must continue to make it known that the Israeli actions are brutal and
disgraceful. It should be costly to companies that are part and parcel
of Israeli colonialism. If business is conducted in or with Israel, that
corporation should be ready to face the economic consequences.
Israel wants two possible outcomes. Either the Palestinians emigrate
once again from their rightful land or they will be pushed out under
the guise of this charade, known as the war on terrorism. Results
such as these are unacceptable to civilized society and should be
condemned by the international community.
* Writer and Palestinian Activist Living in New York. |
