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Palestinian Women in Terrorism: Protectors or Protected
Our guiding principle is that gender – the construction of femininity and
masculinity – carries special significance in the sphere of terrorism, as it does in
other masculine pursuits or organizations such as the military. The link of gender to
notions of protection and danger – the bedrock of patriarchal social order – makes
it particularly relevant for Palestinian terrorism. In Palestinian culture (like in Arab
society in general) men are defined as the protectors of women and children;
women are perceived as being in need of protection, and are therefore expected to
shy away from danger 3 . As the next sections show, this link between
protection/danger, engagement in terrorism (or “military work” as referred to by
our interviewees) and conceptions of masculinity/femininity presents Palestinian
women entering the world of terrorism with a dilemma – their participation is
perceived as undermining the moral foundation of Palestinian society.
Understanding this dilemma and Palestinian women’s involvement in terrorism
requires familiarity with the context in which women navigate their daily lives –
Palestinian social structure, culture and politics. We thus begin with description of
gender relations and women’s status in Palestinian society, and discuss the political
context of Palestinian women’s entry into terrorism. We then present the
methodology, data and findings about Palestinian women’s experience with
terrorism and its aftermath – their legal processing and prison experiences. We
conclude with analysis of the implications of Palestinian women’s involvement in
terrorism for practice and theory.
Palestinian Society: Social, Cultural and Political
Background
Palestinian culture and the female experience
Women’s experiences in Palestinian society are shaped by broader socio-cultural
norms and values. Despite recent changes and transformations in Arab/Palestinian
society and culture (Barakat, 1985), common socio-cultural characteristics and
patterns relevant to the social organization of terrorism can be discerned.
As an Arab society, the Palestinian community is a collective society, based on
principles of tribalism and social homogeneity (Sharabi, 1975). The family is the
central organizing unit, with nuclear and extended family members providing one
another with mutual support, protection, and assistance, and expected to place the
well-being of family members above their own personal needs. The significance of
the family unit contributes to the heightened importance of family reputation,
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