{"id":4716,"date":"2022-10-06T14:29:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-06T19:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medecinsdumonde.ca\/?post_type=actualite&p=4716"},"modified":"2026-10-02T04:30:40","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T09:30:40","slug":"pas-de-paix-de-lesprit-la-sante-mentale-des-palestiniens-sous-loccupation","status":"publish","type":"actualite","link":"https:\/\/medecinsdumonde.ca\/en\/article\/pas-de-paix-de-lesprit-la-sante-mentale-des-palestiniens-sous-loccupation\/","title":{"rendered":"No peace of mind – the mental health of Palestinians under occupation"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"featured_media":4717,"template":"","actualite_type":[10],"actualite_sujet":[],"action_combat":[],"mdm_pays":[],"class_list":["post-4716","actualite","type-actualite","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","actualite_type-international-actions"],"acf":{"mise_en_avant":false,"chapeau":"","cta_type":"don","cta_lien":{"title":"Lire le rapport (en anglais)","url":"\/uploads\/No-Peace-of-Mind-Digital.pdf","target":"_blank"},"contenu":"

Over the years, the international community has repeatedly witnessed cases of extreme violence and violations of human rights by Israel, which is intensifying its oppression against Palestinians. Israeli settlers, supported by the Israeli army, have forced many people to flee their homes. Since 2009, more than 12,380 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced in the West Bank, while demolitions have increased by an average of 20% year on year since 2017.<\/p>\n

The effects of the occupation on the mental health of Palestinians are understudied. However, preliminary studies indicate lasting and damaging consequences on mental health, particularly for children.<\/p>\n

The report No Peace of Mind<\/a> is a new study on the mental health of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation, conducted by M\u00e9decins du Monde France and the Association of International Development Agencies. The report focuses on the experience of organizations providing mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services to Palestinians in 10 communities in the West Bank during the summer of 2021. The questionnaire was administered to one man, one woman, and one child in each of the 10 selected communities. The results are striking, the stories shared by participants are devastating, and the implications for mental health are severe.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cThey came in the morning and demolished our tents with bulldozers. They took everything with them. I was scared. We were making cheese. We didn\u2019t expect this demolition because our house had already been demolished in the past.\u201d \u2013 Young girl from Humsa al Bqai'a<\/h2>\n

SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE OCCUPATION IN 1967, ISRAEL HAS IMPLEMENTED MERCILESS POLICIES OF LAND CONFISCATION, ILLEGAL SETTLEMENT, AND DISPOSSESSION, COUPLED WITH ENDEMIC DISCRIMINATION.<\/h2>\n

Our study, No Peace of Mind<\/a>, seeks to better understand how the daily experience of occupation generates such significant consequences for mental health. The year 2021 saw the highest level of settler violence recorded since OCHA began monitoring the situation in 2006. In total, 977 incidents of settler attacks were recorded in 2021, including significant damage to Palestinian property, and these attacks also resulted in the deaths of five Palestinians.<\/p>\n

For many people living under occupation, what is sometimes perceived as resilience is merely an unfortunate adaptation to a stressful environment, in which violence is part of the \u201cdaily routine.\u201d Upon closer examination, the report No Peace of Mind<\/a> indicates that while resilience prevails, the impact of systemic violence on mental health is just as significant.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce, settlers attacked us at night; they stole the sheep and had weapons with them. They went after my children, trying to hit them. Now, every time we hear the sound of a car, we are afraid. In January 2021, 30 settlers attacked us. They had weapons and were supported by the army\u2014which usually stays back unless it feels the settlers are not safe. They fired tear gas and stun grenades at us; we choked from the gas.\u201d \u2013 Woman from Al Mughayyir<\/h2>\n

Research on the biological effects of violence has revealed a range of issues, from an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases to premature mortality. It is also linked to rising rates of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicide.<\/p>\n

In the No Peace of Mind report, our research focused on four key areas of health:<\/h3>\n