Israel Matzav

Women in Gaza Prepare to Become Suicide Bombers

This TV report on female 'Palestinian' suicide bombers, aired on Al-Jadid/New TV (Lebanon) on August 19, 2008.

As you watch this video, you will see a close-up of how a suicide bomb belt works. Unfortunately, it's all too simple to operate. Much simpler than learning to fly a plane into a building.

Let's go to the videotape. A transcript follows and I will have some comments after that.

Reporter: This elderly Palestinian woman, called Fatima Al-Najjar, used to lead women's demonstrations at the entrance to the town of Beit Hanoun in the winter of 2006, calling upon the occupation to leave her town and stop the More.. killing and destruction. But despite her advanced age, she decided to take a different path.

Fatima Al-Najjar: I sacrifice myself for the sake of Allah, the homeland, and Al-Aqsa. I ask Allah to accept my sacrifice.

Reporter: Fatima Al-Najjar blew herself up near several soldiers of the occupation, thus joining the many Palestinian women before her who chose martyrdom over a life of humiliation – Ayat Al-Akhras, Hanadi Jaradat, and Rim Al-Riyashi, who left her two children behind and decided to blow herself up at the Beit Hanoun crossing in northern Gaza. She left her two children an unforgettable lesson on the struggle. When the goal is the defense of the homeland, there is no difference between man and woman. Here the women train and learn how to confront the enemy, which plundered the land and besieged their people. Dozens of young Palestinian women undergo training every year – university students, mothers, and working women. They know that their role in the conflict is not restricted to nursing the sick and caring for the children, and that what they are doing here might just change the equation. This young woman, who calls herself the "lover of Al-Quds," has set out more than once on combat operations, some of which were successful and others not. But she is determined to continue.

"Lover of Al-Quds": This is the belt we wear around our waists, so that we can detonate ourselves at the push of a button. This is a safety button, and so is this. We won't explode unless we press this button. When God instills the will in our hearts... Our strength lies not in the body, but in the heart. If the heart so desires and we are inspired by God to set out... Every female martyrdom-seeker is inspired by Allah.

Reporter: The "lover of Al-Quds" is about to be married, but she has said to her fiancé: "If my land calls me, I will respond to the call." She will not sit at home, awaiting the soldiers of the occupation. Instead, she will go out to confront them, wearing her explosives belt, with which she never parts.

"Lover of Al-Quds": Even if the Jews come on my wedding day, I will go out to confront them in my wedding gown. Nothing will stop me from committing martyrdom. I have given up all my dreams and aspirations, in order to become a martyrdom-seeker. I have lived an ordinary life. I have lots of free time, I go in and out, I draw – just like any other girl. But when it is the will of Allah that we become martyrs, I will cast all this aside.

Reporter: The mothers and daughters of Palestine believe that death for the sake of a free Palestine is a cheap price to pay, compared to a life of humiliation under the boots of the occupation. They believe that the upbringing of men requires mothers whose actions do not fall short of the actions of the men.

Watching this video, it strikes me that it's amazing that the 'Palestinians' did not start using women as suicide bombers a long time ago. These women have nothing for which to live (would you want to live your life walking around in a black bag with nothing showing other than your eyes?), so committing suicide may well seem like an act of mercy for them, to put them out of their misery.

In any event, the phenomenon of female suicide bombers requires Israel and other affected countries to change their entire approach to security. For example, for many years here, Israel has been very strict about allowing entry to hotspots (like the Temple Mount, for example) to women and older men. Now, letting women in, especially younger women, may be nearly as dangerous as letting younger men in.

Their 'life of humiliation' is not under 'the boots of the occupation.' It's under the boots of what's expected of Islamic women as a matter of routine.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 12:56 AM