Christian Rodríguez                   12/9/2023

Joseph furlong                          FIQWS 10005

Deeadra brown

      The Palestinian-Israel conflict has left an indelible mark on the collective psyche of the Palestinian population, giving rise to profound psychological repercussions. Beyond anything, the conflict has inflicted a major traumatic effect, leaving individuals grappling with a spectrum of psychological problems. delving into the multiple ways in which the Palestinian-Israel conflict has induced trauma, shedding light on the specific psychological and physiological challenges faced by Palestinians. The Palestinian-Israel conflict, marked by decades of political turbulence and violence, has not only disrupted lives but has also precipitated a mental health crisis among the Palestinian people.  

To give background on this issue, during World War I, Britain showed its support and endorsement for the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine, through the British Mandate. For Palestine, it reflected a colonial framework that prioritized Jewish immigration and self-governance, largely sidelining the interests of the native Palestinian population. The term “national home” was given with ambiguity. The issuance of the declaration remains the subject of ongoing debate. The Nakba, meaning “catastrophe” to the Palestinians. In 1948, resulting in the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians during the establishment of the State of Israel. This tragic event involved the destruction of villages, loss of lives, and continues to shape the trajectory of the conflict. The annual commemoration on May 15th serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring trauma experienced by Palestinians. But to the people of Israel it’s a day of independence.

The physiological and physical trauma experienced by Palestinians is a deeply entrenched aspect of their daily lives, a haunting reality shaped by decades of conflict, displacement, and systemic oppression. This prolonged state of conflict has left an indelible mark on the collective psyche of the Palestinian population, manifesting in various forms of trauma that impact individuals, families, and entire communities.

Physiological trauma, often referred to as the emotional and psychological toll on individuals, is pervasive among Palestinians. The constant exposure to violence, loss, and insecurity has contributed to high levels of stress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within the population. Children, in particular, bear a heavy burden, as they grow up amid the backdrop of conflict, witnessing violence, and experiencing the loss of loved ones. Studies have consistently highlighted the prevalence of PTSD among Palestinian children, affecting their emotional well-being and cognitive development. • An example of this is a study done by Cambridge University in 2018 by Al-Krenawi, A., Graham & Kanat-Maymon called “Analysis of trauma exposure, symptomatology and functioning in Jewish Israeli and Palestinian adolescents.” , scrutinizing a broad spectrum of factors such as trauma exposure, psychosocial dynamics, family structures, PTSD, and aggression. The survey, encompassing 892 participants in 2006, unveils a notable contrast in trauma exposure and mental health symptoms, particularly among Palestinian adolescents. The study emphasizes the intricate influence of variables such as socioeconomic status, gender, and religiosity on the observed disparities. The authors utilize a diverse sample drawn from various locations, using different ways to measure distinct aspects of trauma and functioning. Their analysis offers a nuanced understanding of the factors contributing to mental health issues in the face of political violence. This research significantly contributes to the broader discourse on the impact of political violence on adolescent populations. The authors’ commitment to presenting both Israeli and Palestinian perspectives enriches the study’s comprehensiveness, fostering a more nuanced dialogue on the mental health consequences of conflict. The study’s assertion that “Both respondent groups had significant emotional and behavioral problems” underscores the shared challenges faced by these populations, advocating for tailored interventions such as individual and community treatment, as well as community and social development, particularly beneficial for Palestinians. Furthermore, the approach employed by the authors serves as a guiding principle to incorporate into my own research, fostering a understanding of the diverse factors influencing the well-being of adolescents in conflict zones.  

Furthermore, the experience of displacement and dispossession significantly contributes to the psychological trauma endured by Palestinians. The Nakba of 1948, which resulted in the forced expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homes, left deep scars that persist across generations. The loss of land, heritage, and the disruption of familial and community ties have profound psychological implications, often leading to a sense of collective grief and loss that is transmitted through familial and community narratives this is shown In Ghassan Kanafani’s “Returning to Haifa” (1969), the novella unfolds the narrative of Said S. and his wife Safiyya as they embark on a journey back to Haifa, two decades after their expulsion during the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The characters, particularly Said S. and Safiyya, grapple with profound individual struggles, and when they went back into Haifa in the book stating  “You know the terrible thing that happened in April 1948, so now, why this? Just for our sakes alone? No! This is part of the war. They’re saying to us, ‘Help yourselves, look and see how much better we are than you, how much more developed. You should accept being our servants. You should admire us? But you’ve seen it yourself. Nothing’s changed. It was in our power to have done much better than they did.”

The emotional depth and depiction of loss serve as pillars elevating the story. Within the complex context of the Palestinian-Israeli struggle. Said S. and Safiyya’s emotional journey serves as a rich source of insights into themes of displacement, nostalgia, and the intricate interplay between personal and collective memory. The characters’ reflections provide a poignant lens through which scholars can examine the enduring psychological effects of war, unraveling the layers of complexity that shape the human experience in the aftermath of conflict. 

Physical trauma is also pervasive within the Palestinian community, directly resulting from the violence inherent in the conflict. The Israeli military’s use of force, including live ammunition, tear gas, and rubber-coated bullets, during protests and clashes has led to a high number of injuries and casualties. The physical toll is not limited to those directly involved in confrontations; civilians, including women and children, often find themselves caught in the crossfire, sustaining injuries that range from minor to life-altering. 

In the realm of public health, the persistent challenges to sanitation, clean water access, and environmental safety contribute to a myriad of health issues. unsanitary living conditions that foster the spread of diseases. These conditions not only exacerbate physical health issues but also contribute to the overall degradation of well-being for the Palestinian population. In the extensive examination titled “The Burden of War-Injury in the Palestinian Health Care Sector in Gaza Strip” by Marwan Mosleh, Koustuv Dalal, Yousef Aljeesh, and Leif Svanström, published in BMC International Health and Human Rights (2018), the research centers on the incidence and pattern of injuries linked to the 75 year conflict. This study sheds a crucial light on the frequently overlooked burden of war-related injuries in Palestine, aiming to provide a thorough understanding of their profound impact on public health. The research utilizes an injury registry at hospital facilities in the Gaza Strip. 1420 victim records were randomly selected for detailed analysis. The findings reveal a male-dominated distribution in war-related injuries, with males experiencing 75.5% of these injuries compared to females at 24.5%. 

The age-wise shows that nearly half belonged to the 20–39 age group, emphasizing the significant impact on the age population. Children and adolescents, constituting 31.4% of victims, further underscore the vulnerability of the younger demographic. The overall injury rate stands at 6.4 per 1000 population. The prevalent causes of war injuries, primarily attributed to blast and explosion events (72.9%), underscore the severe and widespread consequences of conflict.

Dominating the spectrum of injuries, upper body injuries are prominent, with multiple body shrapnel wounds and burns accounting for 39.3% of reported cases. The study encompasses diverse injury types, including multiple organ injury, fractures, internal organ injury, bleeding, amputation, abrasions/lacerations, contusions, vision or hearing loss, and respiratory problems. illuminating the physical trauma endured by Palestinians due to ongoing conflicts in Palestine.

The interplay between physiological and physical trauma is complex and interconnected. Even for Israelis the psychological aftermath of war, with a specific emphasis on trauma and the profound psychological tribulations is a thing, in the book  Khirbet Khizeh Yizhar, S. (1949). “Let them be-you won’t hit them anyway… too bad” and my words choked, but nobody scared” the character expresses a desire for the freedom of those they are shooting at, realizing the futility of the violence. This brief moment captures a the struggle, as the character grapples with the human cost of their actions and the harsh reality of war. 

In Efforts to address the physiological and physical trauma experienced by Palestinians necessitate a comprehensive approach that considers both the immediate and long-term consequences of the conflict. In conclusion, the physiological and physical trauma experienced by Palestinians is a multifaceted and deeply entrenched consequence of the prolonged Israeli-Palestinian conflict. From the emotional toll of chronic stress and PTSD to the direct physical impact of violence Palestinians navigate a challenging landscape that profoundly affects their well-being.

The topic that I decided to choose was the humanitarian crisis that’s occurring in Yemen, which has a deep rooted history in controversial problems that are still continuing as of today with a civil war. The conflict escalating in 2015 when a coalition led by Saudi Arabia decided to join the war to support the internationally recognized government to achieve some kind of “Peace”. The war has caused immense suffering for the Yemeni people, with very small coverage behind the terror that’s occurring in Yemen. 

The publication I chose was CNN.com This particular article was written by Nima Elbaiger. Which falls under the journalism genre. The purpose of the article being written is to educate and inform those on the issue that’s occurring in Yemen and raise awareness and support. The targeted audience is the would be activists, who have been on high alert of the issues becoming more prevalent in the Middle East, specifically after Israeli’s  Palestinian annexing, which saw a major increase in coverage. The context behind this would be the underlying issues that’s happening such as blockades which in turn has caused a domino effect which has caused more catastrophic problems for the people of Yemen, for example in the article it states “Saudi warships have not allowed any oil tankers to berth at Hodeidah since the start of the year, the Houthis say, an assertion backed by the World Food Programme.” This quote mentions the struggle and frustration being had by the people of Yemen, oil in of itself in extremely important in any country, It’s led to fuel shortages, which in turn affects transportation, electricity, and essential services, which than becomes a bigger issue, people cannot get to places, like work, school, causing economic problems. Basic needs like showers, stoves and more because a luxury. Power outages becoming a regular occurrence. And people start to lose the privilege of doing things how they used too on there day to day lives before the war.

Another piece of publication that I used was a social media post by on twitter by “UNOCHA” or more professionally known as UN Humanitarian. Giving more information on what’s happening in Yemen. Which would fall into journalism. Unlike many social media posts regarding such topics, there was no bias shown in the post. The purpose of the post was to report on the crisis on food shortages and lack of funding on organizations that help the people of Yemen. Saying “The war in Yemen is causing hunger, displacement and economic collapse, with women and girls bearing the brunt.

Meanwhile, the aid operation – which helps 11 M people each month – is threatened by funding shortages.” Along with this it links an article of a UN representative named Ramesh Rajasingham that spoke of possible diplomacy in the country. The targeted audience would be most of the public. When reading social media it would seem as if the targeted audience would be again activists, who could in turn show more uproar in the crisis that is plaguing Yemen. I believe the context behind this would be the lack of publicity that this crisis is attracting, so sharing this post on social media gives more attention to a situation that requires urgent attention and support from the international community. With the support of humanitarian organizations, and urging governments to take action, people can make a difference.

My next source of information is the scholarly article I found describing the history of Yemen, by Zauchry Laub describing things one event after another, one particular interesting thing i found was the topic of how the division began, “Saudi-backed Yemen Arab Republic, in the north the USSR backed People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen, to the south.” and continues to describe these events in detail. The genre is journalism which continues to be in the theme when researching about Yemen. The audience in this article would possibly be other researchers trying to get more information that is 100% factual and not from a source like “The New York Times”, as it gives its sources and in-depth explanations of events that happened. The context of this would have to be to give a non-bias 100% accurate information that allows us to advocate for justice, raise awareness, and support for the people of Yemen. Along with that, I believe that it gives us a ability to hold those accountable when someone is responsible for any wrongdoing and ensures that the international community is well-informed to take appropriate action. Having accurate information on what’s happening in Yemen is crucial for several reasons. It helps us understand the extent of the humanitarian crisis, the human rights violations, and the impact of the conflict on the Yemeni people.

My last source of information is a magazine article by Manon Quérouil-Bruneel called “between life and death in Yemen” . Which instead of giving straight facts. Describes the day to day life of the people of Yemen, being more of a mix of photo and digital journalism. Since it gives pictures along with anecdotal writing all over the article. A piece from the article that interested me in particular in “Between life and Death in Yemen” by Manon Querouil was “But when we visited in the fall, most Yemenis were more occupied just with survival. In Sana’a, war has become everyday. Every morning, people emerge with empty containers to seek drinkable water. At night” showing the real struggle of the Yemeni people. The intended audience when I read this article continues, as activist.  I think that what is done differently is that instead of talking about the facts everyone knows about. it actually describes the daily life of these people, which gets more people to really see the issues. A personal journalism experience can be an even better way to understand the issues in Yemen because it provides firsthand accounts and perspectives from the people directly affected by the crisis The context behind this is to give a whole new perspective to the way people see the problems in Yemen.

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