"Women and Palestinian Principles"

Ministry of Women's Affairs hosts "Women and Palestinian Principles"

Julie Webb-Pullman
Translator: Ibraheem Ghunaim

On 06 June, the anniversary of the 1967 Israeli invasions known in Palestine as Al Naksa, the Gaza Ministry of Women's Affairs held an event to celebrate women's contribution, entitled “Women and Palestinian Principles," attended by the Minister of Women’s Affairs Jamila Ashanti, and Dr Mahmoud Zahar, Hamas political bureau member.

Minister of Women's Affairs, Jamila Ashanti.

Dr Jamila Alshanti opened the event by saying that as long as their culture remains strong, the way will be correct.

“Principle is a word we hear every day. Those in resistance say it, and they have the right to say it, for they fight for the sake of principles,” she asserted. “Those who negotiate with the enemy also say the word. I wonder why they say it,” she added, noting that the misuse of the word has led to misunderstanding.

“Palestinian women are at the forefront of those who adhere to our principles. Palestinian women have taken responsibility since the Nakba to keep the Palestinian cause in their hearts and to pass it on to their children through their mothers’ milk, by singing "AWDA" return songs to them, and by describing their home towns to them. Women spoke to their children of this land as if they spoke of a paradise lost. As a result, they raised strong sons and daughters.”

Minister Ashanti went on to say that when Palestinian women were expelled from their land, they refused to relinquish their right to it.

“Each one kept all the documents that she had. While men were busy working, and fighting the occupation, and hiding because the Zionists were pursing them, the women were guarding the things which prove their right to this land, the birth certificates, the keys, the land titles. It was the women who took the responsibility for this, the strong determination of the Palestinian women. I say confidently that Palestinian woman can bear any load, and we won't be defeated.”

Dr Mahmoud Zahar also emphasized the importance of the role of women in all aspects of Palestinian life.

Dr Mahmoud Zahar

Defining the four core Palestinian principles as people, land, creed, and holy places he stressed that these principles are unchangeable with regard to time or place, and most certainly are not subject to referenda.

“We cannot call for a referendum on Mecca and Medina as Islamic holy places, any more than we could on the Church of the Nativity where Jesus was born ,” he said. “The world revolves around its principles just as the Palestinians do.”

He stressed that Palestinian principles are enduring, including the rights of the Palestinian Arab Islamic people in their own land. “As we accept others’ ownership in the world and their freedom of religion, they also have to respect our Islamic land and Islam."

He added, “Palestinians do not have to give up even a grain of sand from their historical land. And our Arab and Islamic brothers and sisters in other nations, including Turkey, Africa and Latin America, have to help liberate our land from the Israeli Occupation. “

“The Palestinian principles serve as historical reminders, and those who speak about the 1967 borders deviate from the culture of the Palestinian people. Those who renounce these principles, renounce Palestine,” he said.

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