Palestinian women joined radicalism in the 1960s via the PLO’s secular terrorist movement. By the 1987 Intifada, they embraced militant roles. Radicalism offered agency in a patriarchal society but fueled violence and soon even turned some of them into suicide bombers. 🧵 2/20

In 2002, Wafa Idris, a 28-year-old paramedic, became the first Palestinian female suicide bomber, killing 1 Israeli and injuring 100 in Jerusalem. Her act, tied to Fatah, inspired other women to also join the ranks of terrorist organizations. 🧵 3/20

Hamas soon also started using women as suicide bombers. Reem Riyashi from Gaza City became the first one when she murdered 4 Israelis at the Erez crossing on 14 January 2004. Unlike most bombers, Riyashi came from a wealthy family, but claimed to have wanted to blow herself up

Consequence: Societal Stigma Palestinian Islamic Jihad had recruited their first female suicide bomber a year earlier. 28-year-old Hanadi Jaradat from Jenin blew herself up on October 4th 2003 in an attack on Maxim restaurant, a Haifa restaurant co-owned by the same Jewish and

Hamas was initially hesitant to use female suicide bombers, claiming that their religion didn’t allow women to carry out such missions. However, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the first leader of Hamas, changed his position on the issue just before he was killed in an Israeli strike in

Nevertheless, female suicide bombers have never been completely accepted by Palestinian society, with some families feeling shame that such bombings have been carried out by their daughters and not their sons. 🧵 7/20

Some of the women who blow themselves up leave messages behind, claiming that they decided to carry out such attacks to get revenge for home demolitions or the deaths of male terrorists from the same family. Their suicide bombings only lead to new cycles of violence. 🧵 8/20

Their explanations are sometimes not embraced by their families and wider clans. The immediate family of the first-ever Palestinian suicide bomber, Dareen Abu Aisheh, was ostracized after her attack in 2002, in which she killed 1 Israeli. It was the 3rd Palestinian female

Women in Hamas and PIJ aren’t often used as suicide bombers, but they do play important roles in recruiting others, using their maternal or sisterly roles to radicalize young boys. A number of failed suicide bombers have told investigators that they were under strong pressure

Some of the Palestinian women who join terrorist movements do it for economic reasons. If they lack large families and support networks, they start pressuring their sons or brothers to carry out suicide bombings so that they can get money for their dead relatives through

Israel has arrested a number of female militants, such as Ahlam Tamimi, who planned the 2001 Sbarro bombing in which 15 people were killed. The long prison terms are then used in Palestinian propaganda as examples of “Israeli oppression and attacks against Palestinian women.”

Women are also used by terrorist groups and other radicals to lead protests and are used as human shields. There were plenty of examples during the so-called Great March of Return protests in 2018. Women are also used as human shields during rocket launches. 🧵 13/20

Some sociologists claim that militancy offers women agency in the otherwise very patriarchal Palestinian society. Joining Hamas or PIJ in many ways defies gender norms but also ties the women to violent ideologies, which are then shared with their children. 🧵 14/20

One of the best-known female Palestinian militants is 24-year-old Ahed Tamimi. She has appeared in a number of viral photos and videos in which she confronts Israeli soldiers, trying to physically attack them. She was sentenced to 8 months in prison in 2018 for attacking a

Women also organize rallies and aid militant families, helping to sustain terrorist organizations such as Hamas. They are also used for logistical support, which became clear during the 2021 conflict with Israel when women were used to smuggle parts necessary for the launch of

Islamist groups frame women’s militancy as jihad, appealing to devout women. Fatwas issued post-2000 by religious leaders tied to terror groups are used to justify female bombers, cloaking their attacks in religious motives. 🧵 17/20

Many women in Gaza face PTSD from the decades-long conflict fueled by Palestinian militancy. After the 2014 war, with 2200 dead Palestinians, 70% of women in Gaza reported mental health issues in a survey. The militancy pushed by them and their husbands does nothing for

Women in Hamas’s social wings are also used for fundraising, approaching family members and friends to provide funds for Hamas’ terror activities. Others are used in the propaganda war, providing journalists with narratives that have been prepared by Hamas. 🧵 19/20

The radicalism of Palestinian women could potentially be limited by empowering them through education and jobs. However, this goes against Hamas's Islamist agenda. The question of how Gazan women will react to the destruction brought about by Hamas’ decision to launch the

@visegrad24 The vast majority of radicalized young men were raised by both a father and a mother. What role did the mother play, or not play, in their radicalization? Almost all misogynistic men had active, present mothers. I am strongly feminist, but these questions need to be answered.

@visegrad24 @grok, what role do Israeli parents play in shaping their children's attitudes towards Arabs.

@visegrad24 Very much a sad and disgraceful socio economic phenomena. Suicide bombers motivated by their environment. The question is does Israel have the wisdom to deal with this downward spiral trap?

@visegrad24 You should listen to @drAnatBerko’s interview about female Hamas terrorists. It’s riveting.

@visegrad24 Pali society is a jihadi death cult raising children to be martyrs from a young age (and Hamas soldiers as young as 13!!) It's a child abuse cult created in 1964 with one goal. to not allow Jews to live in Judea. They don't want peace, or coexistence just to inforce Sharia law

@visegrad24 This topic really highlights an often overlooked perspective. It’s vital to understand all aspects that contribute to societal shifts.

@visegrad24 Women’s role is less significant there natively.

@visegrad24 Killing her children would do that to a woman...

@visegrad24 @patriotlady47 Mmhmm...dont be fooled at all.

@visegrad24 Hamas is evil

@visegrad24 but how will you want to blow yourself up since being little?

@visegrad24 The influence women have can never be overemphasized It's such a shame that it is in such a despicable role

@visegrad24 i would read every bits of this but @grok Surmarize

@visegrad24 Looks like a trans "woman" .

@visegrad24 Love the look. Really sexy. Great environment for the kid too. Mom of the year quality.

@visegrad24 did Ukraine just surrender when Russia was trying to steal Ukrainian land? No. It fought back. That's what the Palestinians have been doing since 1948. But unlike Ukraine, the Palestinians don't have a USA to support them. they fight with sticks and stones. FUCK YOU & FUCK ISRAEL

@visegrad24 They defend their families, not like you that expanding the territory after stealing it