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.
