The Change in Rhetoric Towards Female Martyrdom in Hamas : Saving Face or Changing the Face of Women in Palestine?

This paper will discuss the implications of the use of female martyrdom by Hamas. Considering Hamas’s position of political power within Palestine, the paper argues that their change in rhetoric towards female martyrdom is significant when considering the political empowerment of women in the future. As both a political resistance movement and an Islamic authority for the Palestinian people, Hamas is in the position which will have the most impact on the political future of women in Palestine. Women will not wish to relinquish power which was given to them during a time of conflict, just as Hamas will not wish to relinquish public support after the conflict. For these reasons, Hamas will be the conduit through which female empowerment will occur in Palestine in the future.