Women in Gaza Prepare to Become Suicide Bombers

Following are excerpts from a TV report on female Palestinian suicide bombers, which aired on Al-Jadid/New TV on August 19, 2008.

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 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.