How Women Can Contribute to the Defense of Palestine

Palestine stands today, more than at any time past, at the crossroads. It is the duty of every citizen in the Arab world, woman or man, to contribute to her defense.

Mr. Ahmad al-Shuqayri, director of the Arab Office in Jerusalem, has kindly given his opinion to "The Woman's Voice" on the contribution that woman must make in this cause.

The Arab woman of Palestine has a broad field open to her in the social sphere. That field is still virgin and untilled. The Arab woman in Palestine can, if she wills — and if she strengthens that will with sincere determination — perform such national duties as will raise up the homeland and lift its standing. She is capable of carrying the message of charity and good in the social and humanitarian fields; she is capable of making an earnest sortie into the economic sphere; and she is capable of exerting an effective influence on our cultural life.

Let it not slip from mind that the struggle between us and colonialism and the Zionist forces is a fearful struggle whose front is not confined to political affairs but takes in all economic, social, and cultural affairs; and that survival in this struggle belongs not to the mere possessor of right, nor to him who arms himself with abstract justice — survival is to the fittest and the strongest.

Nor will it be within the power of the Arab nation in Palestine to reach the strongest and the most fitting level, and to equip itself with all the weapons of survival and struggle, until woman comes down into the arena that befits her and accords with her aptitude.

It is no secret to us that the economic war between us and Zionist colonialism is in full swing. Politics is but one of the servants of economics. If victory falls to the Zionist economy, and Jewish finance sinks its claws into our markets and our institutions, we shall fall into a financial servitude no less evil than political servitude. Woman's duty — indeed woman's power — in the field of economics is of great moment and far-reaching effect in upholding our economic existence and in demolishing the economy of the adversaries. For she is mistress of the house in clothing and in food; she is mistress of the house in life's necessities and its luxuries; and she is the source of inspiration for the conduct of fathers and sons, daughters and mothers. If the Arab woman turns this position of hers to account, and directs the matter of livelihood and the manner of living as national duty requires, we shall win in this struggle the best of results, with the most gains and the fewest losses.

I warn the Arab woman against running in the racecourse of imitation and walking the road that does not befit her. If our women take the fullest share of culture, they will make the Arab home a paradise and a haven; they will raise heroes from among our sons and daughters; they will inspire in our men the loftiest meanings of life and patriotism; and they will produce a noble family that believes in the homeland and trusts in its future. Thereby will woman contribute her share to the defense of Palestine — this sacred part of the greater homeland.