Feminist Solidarity Against Israeli Aggression
In the wake of the escalating violence in Lebanon, particularly following the Israeli military's recent airstrikes that reportedly killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, we are reminded of the urgent need for a decolonial, intersectional feminist approach to understanding and addressing war. This moment demands that we, as feminists, raise our voices against militarism, state violence, and the structural oppressions that perpetuate cycles of destruction especially for women, youth, children, and marginalized communities.
Recent Israeli military actions have led to the deaths of over 500 civilians and displaced hundreds of thousands of Lebanese. The strikes have added to Lebanon’s ongoing political instability, deepening the suffering of a population already grappling with economic collapse, governance failures, and the aftermath of past conflicts. The violence is part of a broader pattern of militarism and occupation rooted in Zionist expansionist policies that continue to target resistance movements while disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable communities in Lebanon and beyond.
The Israeli genocide in Palestine, deeply intertwined with Zionism, is not just about territorial disputes but about control, power, and dehumanization. Zionist ideologies have long justified the occupation and violence against Palestinian people and, more broadly, Arab populations in the region, especially in Lebanon, where Hezbollah has been both a political force and a resistance group against Israeli occupation. This militarized approach has not only devastated communities but has also led to the normalization of violence, where the lives of Arab civilians, including women and children, are continually disregarded.
In any war, women and youth are disproportionately affected, bearing the brunt of the violence and the loss of homes, livelihoods, and loved ones. The destruction of infrastructure further exacerbates gender inequalities, as women, often primary caregivers, struggle to provide for their families amidst displacement and chaos. Feminist frameworks have long recognized the importance of centering the voices and experiences of these women in peacebuilding processes. Yet, too often, they remain sidelined, their struggles reduced to footnotes in male-dominated military narratives.
An intersectional feminist analysis highlights how war compounds existing oppressions, disproportionately affecting women of color, the economically disadvantaged, and those already marginalized by systems of patriarchy and colonialism. In Lebanon, for example, refugee women, particularly those from Palestinian and Syrian backgrounds, face extreme vulnerabilities in the face of violence. They are often excluded from decision-making spaces and are denied the resources needed to rebuild their lives. Migrants, particularly those entangled in Lebanon's exploitative Kafala system, also bear the brunt of this escalating violence, facing compounded vulnerabilities due to their marginalized status and lack of protection. Intersectionality teaches us that the impact of war cannot be understood in isolation but must be seen through the multiple and overlapping oppressions these women face.
We must reject the militaristic ideologies that perpetuate cycles of violence and destruction. War is not a solution; it is a symptom of the larger structures of colonialism, patriarchy, and capitalism that fuel oppression. As feminists, we stand firmly against these systems and their manifestations in military violence. We call for a complete demilitarization of the region, an end to occupation, and the dismantling of Zionist policies that continue to subjugate Arab populations.
A decolonial feminist approach to peace prioritizes the inclusion of women, especially those from marginalized communities, in peace negotiations and post-conflict rebuilding. Women, particularly those in refugee camps and conflict zones, must be empowered to participate in decision-making processes that shape their futures. Feminist peacebuilding centers the experiences of those most affected by conflict and challenges the traditional power dynamics that exclude them. This includes pushing for economic justice, land reparations, and sustainable development solutions that address the root causes of conflict .
True peace is not simply the absence of war but the presence of justice. As feminists committed to decolonial principles, we recognize the interconnectedness of struggles for liberation across the Global Majority. The fight against Israeli militarism is part of a broader global struggle against all forms of colonialism and imperialism. Our solidarity with the women of Lebanon, Palestine, and other war zones must be rooted in an understanding of the historical and ongoing systems of power that continue to oppress them.
We call on all feminist activists, organizations, and allies to join us in advocating for an end to the violence, for the inclusion of women in peace processes, and for a global shift towards demilitarization and justice. The future we envision is one where peace is achieved through decolonial, intersectional feminist leadership—where every voice is heard, and every life is valued.
