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Conflict in the Middle East
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SharonEllis · 30/08/2025 14:08

Screamingabdabz · 30/08/2025 14:01

How are people having sex in such horrendous traumatic conditions? It’s a genuine question. I never understand it.

I think its a bit nuanced. Its a known fact that the birth rate goes up in war time. Sometimes it couples having sex before the soldier goes off to war, though I dont know how much that applies here so much as its not a conventional war. Sometimes its to do with comfort in trauma - but that doesn't really apply if people are starving. Though despite what people would have you believe not everyone is starving. Often lack of contraception is an issue. But what sort of man gets a woman pregnant knowing she will be in a warzone? And a lot of pregnancies in war conditions are coercion - either manipulation or rape. Why anyone on a mothers discussion site thinks its wrong to raise this questions is completely beyond me.

MNBlip · 30/08/2025 14:10

CaramelPecan · 30/08/2025 14:07

I am wondering why you only mention the Israeli government in terms of the war ending?

That obviously shows your motivation for starting this thread.

It is well know that women and children suffer the most in every war and are also suffering in other wars right now as well.

Getting pregnant during a war is reckless stupidity, but that is unlikely to be a free choice of the woman in a society where marital rape and domestic violence has no consequence, and will be driven by Hamas political motives.

Put the blame where it’s due.

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There are plenty of men in Israel that rape their wives and women. Let’s be real here.

SharonEllis · 30/08/2025 14:14

MNBlip · 30/08/2025 14:06

So because there is a war going on, people can’t have sex? Statics show that more births happening during a war. There isn’t anything to do, you could die at any minute so the only free and comforting thing to do is be intimate with your spouse or whoever. After the soldiers came back from the WW2 there was a huge baby boom in the UK. It’s not rocket science to understand why.

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That's not what I said is it? Where did I say people can't have sex? I'm well aware of the rise in birth rate during war. I just posted on it. But you were talkibg about people who were starving. How could a man have sex with a woman who is actually starving? What sort of risk does that put her at? Have you thought about this?

SharonEllis · 30/08/2025 14:14

MNBlip · 30/08/2025 14:10

There are plenty of men in Israel that rape their wives and women. Let’s be real here.

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There are men everywhere that rape women. That's not the issue.

SharonEllis · 30/08/2025 14:15

Mercurial123 · 30/08/2025 14:02

And another disgusting comment

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Why?

mumofoneAloneandwell · 30/08/2025 14:17

My heart goes out to these mums. What a shit world we live in. Free Palestine. Always. ❤️

MNBlip · 30/08/2025 14:22

SharonEllis · 30/08/2025 14:14

That's not what I said is it? Where did I say people can't have sex? I'm well aware of the rise in birth rate during war. I just posted on it. But you were talkibg about people who were starving. How could a man have sex with a woman who is actually starving? What sort of risk does that put her at? Have you thought about this?

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Consent is the answer you’re looking for. If both parties have consented what’s the issue? Also they’ll both be starving.

SharonEllis · 30/08/2025 14:24

MNBlip · 30/08/2025 14:10

There are plenty of men in Israel that rape their wives and women. Let’s be real here.

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In Gaza domestic violence is a big issue. A rapist can avoid prosecution by marrying his victim. Marital rape is not illegal but abortion is. These are relevant issues when considering pregnancy rates in Gaza and if you cared about women you wouldn't dismiss them. On the other hand marital rape has been illegal in Israel since 1980 I think, before it was here in the UK.

Original poster
Everexpanding · 30/08/2025 14:30

You know characterising those you oppress as rapists is a common racist trope, the kkk did it , the Far right do it with immigrants now all enables the the dehumanisation of the oppressed and allows the oppressor to claim some warped moral reason to persecute with impunity

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SharonEllis · 30/08/2025 14:34

Everexpanding · 30/08/2025 14:30

You know characterising those you oppress as rapists is a common racist trope, the kkk did it , the Far right do it with immigrants now all enables the the dehumanisation of the oppressed and allows the oppressor to claim some warped moral reason to persecute with impunity

Oh for goodness sake. White British soldiers rape in war time too. Men do it all over the world. Why do you have so little empathy for Palestinian women that you can't entertain the fact that some of them might not want to be pregnant in this dreadful situation?

usedtobeaylis · 30/08/2025 14:36

Screamingabdabz · 30/08/2025 14:01

How are people having sex in such horrendous traumatic conditions? It’s a genuine question. I never understand it.

Human connection.

MNBlip · 30/08/2025 14:37

SharonEllis · 30/08/2025 14:24

In Gaza domestic violence is a big issue. A rapist can avoid prosecution by marrying his victim. Marital rape is not illegal but abortion is. These are relevant issues when considering pregnancy rates in Gaza and if you cared about women you wouldn't dismiss them. On the other hand marital rape has been illegal in Israel since 1980 I think, before it was here in the UK.

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Judging from your comments on other CITME threads, I’m always intrigued why someone who so clearly opposes that a genocide is happening would comment on a thread giving sympathy to pregnant mothers in Gaza. Like what’s your purpose? No one here is going to change their mind or agree with you. I would go back to the other side.

usedtobeaylis · 30/08/2025 14:37

When people have been stripped of everything, absolutely everything, the last thing they have is each other. And people want them to forego that as well. For fuck sake.

The people having sex and finding comfort where they can are not in the wrong. The people forcing them into these conditions are.

Original poster
Everexpanding · 30/08/2025 14:38

SharonEllis · 30/08/2025 14:34

Oh for goodness sake. White British soldiers rape in war time too. Men do it all over the world. Why do you have so little empathy for Palestinian women that you can't entertain the fact that some of them might not want to be pregnant in this dreadful situation?

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Because I am concerned about them and their children being starved, bombed and managing birth and motherhood in a situation of dystopian horror. and I think you are using a racist trope to try and distract from this point.

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SharonEllis · 30/08/2025 14:39

usedtobeaylis · 30/08/2025 14:37

When people have been stripped of everything, absolutely everything, the last thing they have is each other. And people want them to forego that as well. For fuck sake.

The people having sex and finding comfort where they can are not in the wrong. The people forcing them into these conditions are.

There are ways to find comfort without making a woman pregnant. I think its appalling that everone apparently thinks it ok to put women through pregnancy and childbirth in this situation. Incredible.

Original poster
Everexpanding · 30/08/2025 14:42

I think it is not ok to put pregnant women and children through this horrifying situation, the point of the thread

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SharonEllis · 30/08/2025 14:42

Everexpanding · 30/08/2025 14:38

Because I am concerned about them and their children being starved, bombed and managing birth and motherhood in a situation of dystopian horror. and I think you are using a racist trope to try and distract from this point.

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I'm not using a racist trope, don't be silly. You are closing your eyes to the possibility that women in this situation are being used. I think its appalling that any woman goes through pregnancy and childbirth in such situations and men should bear some responsibility. I think its bizarrely racist to think Palestinian men can't control themselves. That too is an age old racist trope!

Original poster
Everexpanding · 30/08/2025 14:45

no one said that, they talked about human connection, and the desire born from fear for it

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MumOfManyAliases · 30/08/2025 14:47

Everexpanding · 30/08/2025 13:46

Beyond shameful comment, I doubt contraceptives are available in Gaza given that baby formula and medical equipment are routinely blocked by Israel

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Israel is sending supplies to Gaza. Why on earth would they block them - especially if doing so makes them look bad? How do you know it isn’t Hamas that’s holding onto the food supplies to fuel their propaganda campaign?

Stripes56 · 30/08/2025 14:48

SharonEllis · 30/08/2025 14:08

I think its a bit nuanced. Its a known fact that the birth rate goes up in war time. Sometimes it couples having sex before the soldier goes off to war, though I dont know how much that applies here so much as its not a conventional war. Sometimes its to do with comfort in trauma - but that doesn't really apply if people are starving. Though despite what people would have you believe not everyone is starving. Often lack of contraception is an issue. But what sort of man gets a woman pregnant knowing she will be in a warzone? And a lot of pregnancies in war conditions are coercion - either manipulation or rape. Why anyone on a mothers discussion site thinks its wrong to raise this questions is completely beyond me.

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So the answer of the impact of starvation and war trauma on women and their babies is not to have sex, and presume when it happens they are under coercion?

What about the more humane pathway of ensuring there was sufficient food, truly safe zones and contraception available.

Why do people who support Israel always want to portray Gazan women as subjugated? Some maybe - as in every culture. Palestinian women are highly educated.

https://www.stevesinnottfoundation.org.uk/women-and-girls-education-gupt-perspective#:~:text=Palestinian%20women%20continue%20to%20be,women%20comprise%2030%25%20of%20staff.

Women and girls education GUPT perspective

https://www.stevesinnottfoundation.org.uk/women-and-girls-education-gupt-perspective#:~:text=Palestinian%20women%20continue%20to%20be,women%20comprise%2030%25%20of%20staff.

MNBlip · 30/08/2025 14:54

SharonEllis · 30/08/2025 14:42

I'm not using a racist trope, don't be silly. You are closing your eyes to the possibility that women in this situation are being used. I think its appalling that any woman goes through pregnancy and childbirth in such situations and men should bear some responsibility. I think its bizarrely racist to think Palestinian men can't control themselves. That too is an age old racist trope!

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Yes, we agree with you that it’s racist to think Palestinian men can’t control themselves…

TooBigForMyBoots · 30/08/2025 14:54

I think its bizarrely racist to think Palestinian men can't control themselves.

Given that you are the one saying that these women are pregnant because their husbands are raping them you're being racist by your own definition @SharonEllis.

Original poster
Everexpanding · 30/08/2025 14:55

MumOfManyAliases · 30/08/2025 14:47

Israel is sending supplies to Gaza. Why on earth would they block them - especially if doing so makes them look bad? How do you know it isn’t Hamas that’s holding onto the food supplies to fuel their propaganda campaign?

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From the Times of Israel
” Hundreds of rabbis worldwide have signed a letter calling for Israel to stop using starvation as a “weapon of war,” bring home the hostages and end the fighting in Gaza.
The letter, posted Friday and featuring the names of several leading rabbis across denominations, said the “Jewish People face a grave moral crisis.”
Its signatories, the text read, “are deeply committed to the wellbeing of Israel and the Jewish People,” but “cannot keep silent” in the face of Gaza’s growing death toll and rising malnutrition.

Are hundreds of Rabbis lying?

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MotherofPearl · 30/08/2025 14:56

@Everexpanding

I have posted this link before, but it bears reposting I think. This is a small mutual aid charity delivering aid to civilians in Gaza. It’s a grassroots organisation and was featured on C4 news a few weeks ago, which is how I heard about it. It’s run by I think 3 siblings who were themselves displaced from Gaza last year. One of them is now based in the UK.

https://chuffed.org/project/123783-gaza-food-water-and-cash-aid

Gaza: Food, Water, and Cash Aid

Reviving Gaza | Mutual AidReviving Gaza is a mutual aid initiative, focused on providing for the immediate and basic needs of people in Gaza.

https://chuffed.org/project/123783-gaza-food-water-and-cash-aid

Original poster
Everexpanding · 30/08/2025 15:03

MotherofPearl · 30/08/2025 14:56

@Everexpanding

I have posted this link before, but it bears reposting I think. This is a small mutual aid charity delivering aid to civilians in Gaza. It’s a grassroots organisation and was featured on C4 news a few weeks ago, which is how I heard about it. It’s run by I think 3 siblings who were themselves displaced from Gaza last year. One of them is now based in the UK.

https://chuffed.org/project/123783-gaza-food-water-and-cash-aid

Thank you @MotherofPearl appreciated.

The point of this thread was to try and find ways that we can help

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