Palestinian Woman Between Armed Resistance and Political Straggle Through Intifadt Al-Aqsa 2000-2006

The study aimed to address the woman's political and military role during Al-Aqsa Intifada (Uprising) and her status in the Palestinian decision-making center whether in the official institutions or the national factions. In Chapter One the study sought to use certain tools such as reviewing and discussing previous literature, as well as referring to references and resources available in libraries and the internet. Leading women figures were also interviewed who were in the highest levels inside the Palestinian factions both in the West Bank and Gaza to highlight the situation of women in these factions. In the second chapter, the researcher discussed the concept of political participation, its different levels and patterns. In this chapter also, the researcher explained the political situation of the Arab woman and considered the Palestinian woman an integrated part of the Arab women. The researcher discussed the current status of the Palestinian woman in the Palestinian Authority's official institutions such as the Legislative Council, the Local Council, and the Executive Authority such as ministries and governorates. Through the interviews with the women leaderships, the study explained the reality of the Palestinian woman in the institutions that are affiliated with the different Palestinian factions and the positions those women take whether political positions or military ones. In the third chapter the researcher addressed the political and military history of the Palestinian woman in addition to the women's political and military fight and resistance before 1948. The researcher then discussed the women's fight against the occupation during the period between 1948 (Nakba) and 1967 (Naksa). Moreover, the study highlighted the impact and the role of the Palestinian Liberation Organization and the different Palestinian Resistance Factions in encouraging the Palestinian women to take part in resistance and fight against the occupation after 1967. Then the researcher talked about the impact of the Israeli practices against the Palestinian women because of the women's participation in the first Intifada both politically and in military. The study also explained the reality of the Palestinian women in the institutions of the Palestinian Authority in the period between 1996 and the beginning of Al-Aqsa Intifada, in addition to the impact of the Authority on the feminist movement during that period. In the fourth chapter the researcher addressed the role of the Palestinian women in Al-Aqsa Intifada both politically and in military; it also reviewed the Israeli practices against women in Palestine and discussed the point of view of women political leadership regarding the role of the Intifada in enabling the Palestinian women to occupy decision- making positions. The study concluded that the participation of the Palestinian women has always been active and present in the Palestinian history, though it was somehow marginal; women did not have the chance to participate and reach high levels in the decision-making process. The study recommended giving women in Palestine the right to reach and occupy advanced positions in decision-making at the different official and non-official institutions (Palestinian Factions). The study finally called upon the Palestinian feminist movement to stand united in defending the Palestinian cause and to open dialogue between all the sides that make up this movement.