On 18 May, LDFP Chair Anne-Marie Simpson published an article in Declassified responding to a recent West Bank Protection Consortium report documenting gendered and sexualised violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Anne-Marie argues that these abuses, often carried out in the presence of – or with active participation from – Israeli forces, are part of a broader coercive environment intended to make life untenable for Palestinians and drive them from their homes and communities.

Drawing attention to similar patterns of gendered violence in Gaza, she writes:

“Expressions of concern are no longer enough when credible reports from humanitarian organisations, UN bodies and Palestinian communities themselves continue to document patterns of abuse that demand accountability.”

Calling for stronger UK action to support accountability and prevent further abuses, Anne-Marie concludes:

“Failure to take action risks undermining not only international law, but also the credibility of Britain’s stated commitment to protecting women and girls in conflict around the world.”

Read the full article here.