Sexual Violence as a Tool of Displacement in the West Bank

A report by the West Bank Protection Consortium highlights the use of sexual violence by Israeli soldiers and settlers as a method to force Palestinian communities out of their homes. Over the past three years, 16 cases of conflict-related sexual violence have been documented, although this number is believed to be significantly underreported due to the stigma surrounding such incidents. The report indicates that sexualized violence is employed to pressure communities, influencing their decisions about remaining in or leaving their homes.

The findings reveal that more than two-thirds of surveyed households identified increasing violence against women and children, including sexual harassment, as a critical factor in their decision to leave. Participants described a shift in fear from chronic to unbearable, particularly as they witnessed the humiliation of women and girls. This environment has led to drastic changes in daily life, with many girls quitting school and women ceasing to work to avoid potential assaults. The report also notes a rise in early marriages, as families seek to protect their daughters from the threats posed by sexual violence.

The report details harrowing accounts of abuse, including forced nudity and invasive body searches conducted by Israeli soldiers. One case involved a woman subjected to a painful internal search by female soldiers, who entered her home alongside settlers. Additionally, incidents of male victims have been reported, such as the assault of Qusai Abu al-Kebash, who was stripped and beaten by settlers in front of witnesses. The Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling (WCLAC) corroborates these findings, documenting similar abuses and emphasizing the fragmentation of communities as a consequence.

Kifaya Khraim, the advocacy unit manager at WCLAC, noted that many families are forced to take drastic measures, such as arranging early marriages for their daughters, to protect them from sexual violence. She expressed concern that the reported cases represent only a fraction of the actual incidents, estimating that they may account for just 1% of the total. The report also criticized the Israeli government's lack of accountability, particularly following a decision to drop charges against soldiers involved in a high-profile rape case, which has been interpreted as tacit approval of sexual violence.

Critics argue that the Israeli government's failure to prosecute cases of sexual violence sends a dangerous message, effectively normalizing such behavior. The lack of response from the Israel Defense Forces regarding these allegations further exacerbates concerns about accountability and the protection of Palestinian communities.

While the report draws on 83 interviews with Palestinian communities, it does not claim to provide a statistically representative sample of the West Bank. The absence of a response from the Israel Defense Forces leaves a gap in the narrative, as their perspective on these allegations remains unaddressed.

• “Sexualised violence is used to pressure communities, shape decisions about remaining or leaving their homes and land, and alter patterns of daily life,” — West Bank Protection Consortium

• “Girls aren’t going to schools, and you see early, forced marriages.” — Kifaya Khraim, WCLAC

• “Israeli officials are effectively green-lighting the use of sexual violence, when they decide not to prosecute the most high-profile case, which is extremely well documented,” — Ansari, WCLAC