Recent testimonies collected by the Israeli daily Haaretz reveal that Israeli forces operating checkpoints in the West Bank city of Hebron are sexually harassing Palestinians, including verbal abuse and lewd behavior.
One young Palestinian woman reported an Israeli soldier exposing himself to her at a checkpoint, leading to an investigation by Israeli forces. Several other women also shared similar experiences, such as being forced to remove clothing or unlock phones, highlighting a spike in sexual harassment incidents.
The incidents are part of a larger pattern of systematic sexual violence against Palestinian women and girls by Israeli authorities, as documented in a UN report from June. These acts, including forced nudity and verbal abuse, aim to humiliate and degrade victims, perpetuating harmful gender stereotypes.
It is crucial to raise awareness and hold perpetrators accountable to ensure the safety and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their nationality or gender.