PHOTOS: Women leading the struggles in Israel/Palestine

Activestills By Activestills March 8, 2014 | Edit

In honor of International Women’s Day, Activestills brings you the best photos of the activist women who push for justice and a better life for all those between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.

Photo by:  Ahmad al-Bazz, Shiraz Grinbaum, Keren Manor, Tali Mayer, Anne Paq, Ryan Rodrick Beiler, Yotam Ronen, Oren Ziv/Activestills.org

A young woman runs next to the Israeli separation wall as hundreds of Palestinian and international athletes took part in the the inaugural Palestine Marathon which took place in Bethlehem, West Bank, April 21, 2013. Under the title "Right to Movement" runners had to complete two laps of the same route, as organizers were unable to find a single course of 42 uninterrupted kilometers under Palestinian Authority control.
A young woman runs next to the Israeli separation wall as hundreds of Palestinian and international athletes took part in the the inaugural Palestine Marathon which took place in Bethlehem, West Bank, April 21, 2013. Under the title “Right to Movement” runners had to complete two laps of the same route, as organizers were unable to find a single course of 42 uninterrupted kilometers under Palestinian Authority control. (Activestills.org)
Layla, mother of the hunger striking Palestinian prisoner Samer Issawi, is seen in the Galilee town of Sakhnin, during the Land Day demonstration, March 30, 2013. Land Day commemorates the death of six Palestinian protesters at the hands of Israeli forces during mass demonstrations in 1976 against plans to confiscate Palestinian land in northern Israel.
Layla, mother of the hunger striking Palestinian prisoner Samer Issawi, is seen in the Galilee town of Sakhnin, during the Land Day demonstration, March 30, 2013. Land Day commemorates the death of six Palestinian protesters at the hands of Israeli forces during mass demonstrations in 1976 against plans to confiscate Palestinian land in northern Israel. (Activestills.org)
Women, many of whom were affected by the Israeli attack, after a psycho-social group session in a private home in Beit Lahiya. Gaza Strip, February 18, 2013.
Women, many of whom were affected by the Israeli attack, after a psycho-social group session in a private home in Beit Lahiya. Gaza Strip, February 18, 2013. (Activestills.org)
Palestinian women argue with Border Policemen who prevent them from reaching their pasture land, Umm-al-Arayes, South Hebron Hills, West Bank, January 26, 2013.
Palestinian women argue with Border Policemen who prevent them from reaching their pasture land, Umm-al-Arayes, South Hebron Hills, West Bank, January 26, 2013. (Activestills.org)
African Asylum seekers and Israeli activists sit on the ground as Israeli immigration officers arrest African asylum seeker during a protest outside the Israeli parliament following a three days March For Freedom, from the South of Israel to Jerusalem, December 17, 2013.
African Asylum seekers and Israeli activists sit on the ground as Israeli immigration officers arrest African asylum seeker during a protest outside the Israeli parliament following a three days March For Freedom, from the South of Israel to Jerusalem, December 17, 2013. (Activestills.org)
Bedouin women from the unrecognized villages in the Negev Desert chant slogans. The mass demonstration in Rahat was held against the "Prawer Plan" an Israeli government master plan aimed at displacing more than 30,000 Bedouins from their native lands. Earlier this week, the parliament voted in favor of its implementation, Rahat, Negev Desert, June 28, 2013.
Bedouin women from the unrecognized villages in the Negev Desert chant slogans. The mass demonstration in Rahat was held against the “Prawer Plan” an Israeli government master plan aimed at displacing more than 30,000 Bedouins from their native lands. Earlier this week, the parliament voted in favor of its implementation, Rahat, Negev Desert, June 28, 2013. (Activestills.org
Shireen Issawi, the sister of Palestinian hunger striker Samer Issawi, being interviewed during a demonstration in front of Ramle prison in solidarity with Palestinian prisoner Samer Issawi. Issawi has been on hunger strike for 194 days and is currently held in an Israeli medical detention center in critical condition.
Shireen Issawi, the sister of Palestinian hunger striker Samer Issawi, being interviewed during a demonstration in front of Ramle prison in solidarity with Palestinian prisoner Samer Issawi. Issawi has been on hunger strike for 194 days and is currently held in an Israeli medical detention center in critical condition. (Activestills.org)
Hava Keler, 85, co-founder of Women In Black in Israel, poses for a picture in her home, Tel Aviv, 27.6.2013
Hava Keler, 85, co-founder of Women In Black in Israel, poses for a picture in her home, Tel Aviv, 27.6.2013 (Activestills.org)
An African asylum seeker holding a candle during a March For Freedom, protesting against Holot detention centre located in Israel's south and the release of all refugees imprisoned under the Infiltrators Law, Tel Aviv, Israel, December 28, 2013. More than 5000 thousands African refugees participated in the march, supported by a few hundreds Israeli activists, all calling for recognition of all refugees rights.
An African asylum seeker holding a candle during a March For Freedom, protesting against Holot detention centre located in Israel’s south and the release of all refugees imprisoned under the Infiltrators Law, Tel Aviv, Israel, December 28, 2013. More than 5000 thousands African refugees participated in the march, supported by a few hundreds Israeli activists, all calling for recognition of all refugees rights. (Activestills.org)
The Palestinian tent camp "Bab al-Shams" - Gate of the Sun, being constructed by the Popular Committees in the 'E1' area, West Bank, January 12, 2013. The camp holds 25 tents.
The Palestinian tent camp “Bab al-Shams” – Gate of the Sun, being constructed by the Popular Committees in the ‘E1’ area, West Bank, January 12, 2013. The camp holds 25 tents. (Activestills.org)
Women from the West Bank city of Bethlehem march to protest honor killings and other forms of violence against women, Bethlehem, November 16, 2013.
Women from the West Bank city of Bethlehem march to protest honor killings and other forms of violence against women, Bethlehem, November 16, 2013. (Activestills.org)
Palestinians and internationals commemorate the death of Rachel Corrie. March 17, 2013. Nablus, West Bank.Rachel Corrie, an American activist, was killed on 16 March 2003 by an Israeli military bulldozer in Rafah, Gaza Strip, as she tried to block the demolition of a Palestinian home.
Palestinians and internationals commemorate the death of Rachel Corrie. March 17, 2013. Nablus, West Bank.Rachel Corrie, an American activist, was killed on 16 March 2003 by an Israeli military bulldozer in Rafah, Gaza Strip, as she tried to block the demolition of a Palestinian home. (Activestills.org)
Animal rights activists take part in an extreme protest by branding their flesh with a hot metal stamp similar to those used to brand animals in industrial meat farms, Tel Aviv, March 21, 2013. After the branding, they were put in a truck and driven away. 269 is the number that was branded on a calf born into captivity on an Israeli meat farm, and has become a symbol for the struggle against the abuse of animals.
Animal rights activists take part in an extreme protest by branding their flesh with a hot metal stamp similar to those used to brand animals in industrial meat farms, Tel Aviv, March 21, 2013. After the branding, they were put in a truck and driven away. 269 is the number that was branded on a calf born into captivity on an Israeli meat farm, and has become a symbol for the struggle against the abuse of animals. (Activestills.org)
Palestinian women holding framed photos of imprisoned relatives during a rally commemorating Palestinian Prisoners Day, Ramallah, West Bank, April 17, 2013. The 17th of April marks the annual Palestinian Prisoners Day. It was initially set to remind the public of the thousands of Palestinian prisoners that are imprisoned in Israeli jails, where they are routinely exposed to various methods of torture and other forms of inhumane treatment.
Palestinian women holding framed photos of imprisoned relatives during a rally commemorating Palestinian Prisoners Day, Ramallah, West Bank, April 17, 2013. The 17th of April marks the annual Palestinian Prisoners Day. It was initially set to remind the public of the thousands of Palestinian prisoners that are imprisoned in Israeli jails, where they are routinely exposed to various methods of torture and other forms of inhumane treatment. (Activestills.org)
Family members and friends celebrate as they wait for the release of Palestinian Prisoners Mohamed Ibrahim and Nasser Karage, both jailed in Israeli prisons since 1985, Safa, West Bank, October 29, 2013. 26 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza and the West Bank were set to be released part of the second stage of a prisoner release deal secured by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry ahead of renewed peace talks. A total of 104 Palestinian prisoners, all jailed before the start of the Oslo Peace Talks 20 years ago, are eventually supposed to be released over the next seven months.
Family members and friends celebrate as they wait for the release of Palestinian Prisoners Mohamed Ibrahim and Nasser Karage, both jailed in Israeli prisons since 1985, Safa, West Bank, October 29, 2013. 26 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza and the West Bank were set to be released part of the second stage of a prisoner release deal secured by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry ahead of renewed peace talks. A total of 104 Palestinian prisoners, all jailed before the start of the Oslo Peace Talks 20 years ago, are eventually supposed to be released over the next seven months. (Activestills.org)
Anti-fur activists take part in a fake fashion show during the Worldwide Fur Free Friday (WFFF) initiated by the international Anti-Fur coalition to ask for the dissolution of the fur trade, Tel Aviv, November 28, 2013.
Anti-fur activists take part in a fake fashion show during the Worldwide Fur Free Friday (WFFF) initiated by the international Anti-Fur coalition to ask for the dissolution of the fur trade, Tel Aviv, November 28, 2013. (Activestills.org)
Monika Cahani, a single mother, and her two children aged two and three, squatting a public housing apartment for 29 days after not receiving a proper public housing solution, South Tel Aviv, September 11, 2013. The house, owned by the public housing company 'Halamish,' stood empty before the family's arrival. <span style=\"font-size: 12px;\">They now face eviction by police.
Monika Cahani, a single mother, and her two children aged two and three, squatting a public housing apartment for 29 days after not receiving a proper public housing solution, South Tel Aviv, September 11, 2013. The house, owned by the public housing company ‘Halamish,’ stood empty before the family’s arrival. They now face eviction by police. (Activestills.org)
“The Angry Grandmothers” perform a song against the Israeli occupation during a protest vigil by the “Women in Black” in central Tel Aviv. In the background people are marching in the Tel Aviv Pride Parade, June 7, 2013.
“The Angry Grandmothers” perform a song against the Israeli occupation during a protest vigil by the “Women in Black” in central Tel Aviv. In the background people are marching in the Tel Aviv Pride Parade, June 7, 2013.
Palestinians citizens of Israel shout slogans during a protest against the Prawer-Begin Plan, Jaffa, November 21, 2013.
Palestinians citizens of Israel shout slogans during a protest against the Prawer-Begin Plan, Jaffa, November 21, 2013. (Activestills.org)
Dafni Leef, one of the leaders of the 2011 social protest movement, seen in Tel Aviv court on January 7, 2013 at the opening of a trial in which she is accused of attacking a police officer during a protest.
Dafni Leef, one of the leaders of the 2011 social protest movement, seen in Tel Aviv court on January 7, 2013 at the opening of a trial in which she is accused of attacking a police officer during a protest. (Activestills.org)
Sister Aziza taking part in PHR mobile clinic in Jenin Refugee Camp on April 6, 2013. (Activestills.org)
Sister Aziza taking part in PHR mobile clinic in Jenin Refugee Camp on April 6, 2013. (Activestills.org)
Bedouin Residents of the unrecognized village of Al Arakib protest against the demolition of their village and for the release of the activists arrested during an anti Prawer demo the day before, in Lehavim Junction, in the South of Israel, December 1, 2013. The unrecognized village of Al Arakib was demolished by the Israeli authorities over 60 times, as the JNF is planting a forest on the village's lands.
Bedouin Residents of the unrecognized village of Al Arakib protest against the demolition of their village and for the release of the activists arrested during an anti Prawer demo the day before, in Lehavim Junction, in the South of Israel, December 1, 2013. The unrecognized village of Al Arakib was demolished by the Israeli authorities over 60 times, as the JNF is planting a forest on the village’s lands. (Activestills.org)
Rut Colian poses for a photo inside the Supreme High Court, after she marched from her home town of Petach Tikva to Jerusalem in protest of the public housing situation, March 12, 2013.Colian marched to the Supreme High Court to take part in an appeal to order the state to implement the 'Public Housing Law', and to allow families to purchase the apartments in which they have been living in for years from the state.
Rut Colian poses for a photo inside the Supreme High Court, after she marched from her home town of Petach Tikva to Jerusalem in protest of the public housing situation, March 12, 2013.Colian marched to the Supreme High Court to take part in an appeal to order the state to implement the ‘Public Housing Law’, and to allow families to purchase the apartments in which they have been living in for years from the state. (Activestills.org)
Sabiha Abu Rahme cleans the memorial monument of her son, Bassem who was shot to death by an Israeli soldier during a protest in the village in 2009, October 4, 2013.
Sabiha Abu Rahme cleans the memorial monument of her son, Bassem who was shot to death by an Israeli soldier during a protest in the village in 2009, October 4, 2013. (Activestills.org)
A Palestinian woman prays at the beach during Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, Tel Aviv, Israel, August 8, 2013.
A Palestinian woman prays at the beach during Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, Tel Aviv, Israel, August 8, 2013. (Activestills.org)

 

Read more:
Meet the Israeli women who have stood up to the occupation for 26 years
Women behind the lens: Palestinians filming the occupation

Activestills

Activestills is a collective of Israeli, Palestinian, and international photographers, united by a conviction that photography is a vehicle for political and social change. We believe in the power of images to shape public attitudes and to raise awareness on issues that are generally absent from public discourse. We view ourselves as part of the struggle against all forms of oppression, racism, and violations of the basic right to freedom. Our images are frequently published by many leading human rights, development, and advocacy agencies, as well as by alternative and leading news media. To stay updated on our latest images, like Activestills on Facebook or visit our Flickr photostream.