In a time when the world is engulfed in political silence and diplomatic indifference towards the humanitarian crises in Gaza, the name “Rima Hassan” stands out as a cry of awakened feminine conscience inscribed in the annals of history. A Palestinian-French woman, lawyer, and Member of the European Parliament, she has fulfilled her historic responsibility not through slogans, but through her active presence on the ground.
Woman, Politics, Resistance
Rather than hiding behind conference tables and cold statements, Rima Hassan boarded the rescue ship “Madleen” and, alongside other human rights activists, set sail for the besieged shores of Gaza. This act was not merely symbolic; it was a political and humanitarian gesture that clearly articulated: resistance can be feminine—a resistance that springs from the experiences of motherhood, exile, and the quest for rights.
In an era when many Western figures prefer to remain in the safe margins of diplomacy, Rima chose to stand on the front lines, facing imprisonment, experiencing solitary confinement, and even going on hunger strikes—not out of weakness, but to amplify the voices of besieged women and children.
Refusal to Submit: No to Imposed Commitments
One pivotal moment in Rima’s resistance while in prison was her explicit refusal to sign a commitment presented by Israeli authorities. This commitment aimed to prevent the recurrence of such actions and impose silence on the feminine voice of protest. Fully aware of the legal consequences of her refusal, Rima preferred to pay the price of honorable freedom by remaining in solitary confinement rather than succumbing to silencing. This decision showcased a profound aspect of her resilient character: women who not only fight but also refuse to be humiliated.
Solitary Confinement: Not Defeat, But Awareness
Rima’s detention by Israeli occupying forces did not silence her voice; instead, it resonated globally. In solitary confinement, without access to fresh air, she lived in a meaningful silence—one that spoke louder than a thousand slogans. This solitary experience was not a defeat but an extension of the same resistance narrated by women from West Asia, from “Dareen Tatour” to “Shireen Abu Akleh.”
A Voice That Will Not Be Silenced
Rima Hassan has returned to France, but the story is far from over. A fundamental question now confronts global conscience: if one woman can stand with such courage against the machinery of oppression, what is our role in this struggle? Is silence neutrality or betrayal?
Women Are the Future of Resistance
Rima Hassan’s experience is not just a personal narrative; it is part of a larger puzzle where women have become the main actors in standing firm. From Gaza to Sudan, from Lebanon to the streets of Paris, it is these women who stand up, write, assist, and even get arrested because they believe that “women are the future of resistance.”