Sexual violence by Israeli settlers and soldiers driving Palestinian displacement, report says

Sexual violence by Israeli settlers and soldiers driving Palestinian displacement, report says Submitted by Mera Aladam on Wed, 04/22/2026 - 09:35 Study finds threats against women and children, including abuse and harassment, are forcing families to flee their homes Palestinians prepare to cross an Israeli checkpoint in Qalandia, in the occupied West Bank, on 22 March 2024 (AFP/Zain Jaafar) Off Israeli forces and settlers are committing acts of gender-based and sexualised violence that are contributing to the displacement of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, a new study has found. In a report titled “Sexual violence and forcible transfer in the West Bank: How the exploitation of gender dynamics drives displacement”, the West Bank Protection Consortium documented at least 16 cases involving sexual crimes perpetrated by Israeli settlers and soldiers. Sexual violence, which remains widely underreported due to social stigma, is being used to pressure communities to leave their homes and disrupt daily life, the report published on Monday said.