Commentary Section Break: Intro para  The Paradox of Anonymity in Justice: A Palestinian Occupational Therapist  s Response to the AnonymOT Collective YOUSEF R. BABISH  This response critically examines the commentary, Occupational Therapists Speaking for Justice and Human Rights: From Complicit Silencing to Collective Resistance, authored by the AnonymOT Collective and published in Aporia: The Nursing Journal. As a Palestinian occupational therapist, I approach this article with lived experience, professional insight, and a commitment to justice that is deeply rooted in the realities of my people. While the authors frame their work as a bold act of resistance against genocide, their approach seems to be riddled with contradictions, omissions, and an unsettling lack of transparency.  2025: Vol.17, Numéro 1/Vol.17 Issue 1  The Contradiction of Anonymity The AnonymOT Collective claims to advocate for open and public discourse while operating under a pseudonym. This decision, ostensibly taken to avoid reprisals, raises signi!cant ethical and intellectual concerns. Advocacy for justice demands accountability (Jadallah, 2024; Ramugondo, 2024), yet anonymity denies readers the ability to evaluate the authors   lived experiences, professional backgrounds, and personal stakes in the issues discussed. Positionality is not a theoretical abstraction but a necessary foundation for ethical engagement (Junior et al., 2024). By obscuring their identities, the authors undermine their credibility and the solidarity they purport to champion. This contradiction casts doubt on the sincerity of their claims and diminishes the impact of their arguments. As a Palestinian occupational therapist, I !nd this anonymity particularly troubling. My work and advocacy require me to navigate systemic oppression and risks, yet I stand by my name and identity. The authors   choice to remain anonymous  3  BABISH RESPONSE TO THE ANONYMOT COLLECTIVE  suggests a privilege of detachment  a luxury unavailable to those directly affected by the injustices they discuss (Córdoba, 2020; Leonardo, 2004; Minarik, 2017). Those who claim to speak for justice must embody the courage and accountability they demand from others (Ventres et al., 2018).  Possible Exclusion of Palestinian Voices While the commentary centres on the genocide in Palestine (Amnesty International, 2024), it fails to adequately incorporate the voices and experiences of Palestinian occupational therapists. The authors   sweeping critique of institutional complicity and silence is undermined by their failure to foreground those most affected by the crisis. Were Palestinian therapists from Gaza or the West Bank consulted or included in this work? The article does not make this clear. This omission is not a minor oversight; it is a glaring flaw that perpetuates the very silencing the authors claim to resist. As someone who has practised occupational therapy in the West Bank and is part of the Palestinian Occupational Therapy Association (POTA), I am acutely aware of the challenges faced by my community. The destruction of healthcare infrastructure, the targeting of professionals, and the daily struggles of practising under occupation (Beaumont, 2024; Euro-Med Human Rights, 2024; Khatib et al., 2024) are not abstract issues  they are lived realities. Any meaningful critique of professional complicity must centre these experiences, not marginalise them further.  Problematic Framing and Generalizations The authors  framing of the crisis relies heavily on generalisations and selective evidence. While they rightly critique the silence of occupational therapy  s governing bodies, their analysis lacks nuance and depth. For example, their discussion of the World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) fails to consider the complexities of international advocacy within highly politicised contexts. Critiquing silence is necessary, but a clear understanding of the barriers and opportunities for action within professional organisations must accompany it. Furthermore, the commentary  s reliance on broad claims about occupational justice and human rights often feels disconnected from the speci!cities of the Palestinian context. The authors   invocation of anti-oppressive competencies and ethical responsibilities, while rhetorically powerful, risks becoming performative without concrete actions or proposals. Advocacy must move beyond abstract principles to address the tangible needs and realities of affected communities.  The Role of Social Media and Public Discourse The commentary also highlights the role of social media in  2025: Vol.17, Numéro 1/Vol.17 Issue 1  amplifying voices and mobilising resistance. However, the authors   engagement with these platforms raises questions about their objectives and accountability. Advocacy on social media is not without its pitfalls, including the risk of performative allyship and the commodi!cation of suffering. The authors   anonymity further complicates this dynamic, as it shields them from scrutiny while they critique others for their silence. As a Palestinian therapist, I have witnessed the power of social media to galvanise support and raise awareness. However, I have also seen how it can be used to tokenise struggles and obscure the voices of those most affected. The authors must critically reflect on their use of these platforms and ensure that their advocacy does not perpetuate the very dynamics they seek to challenge.  Professional Complicity and the Way Forward The commentary  s critique of professional complicity is both necessary and timely. However, it must be accompanied by a more robust analysis of the structural and systemic factors that enable such complicity. The authors   call for governing bodies to break their silence is important, but it must be matched with concrete strategies for achieving this goal. What speci!c actions should WFOT and other organisations take? How can occupational therapists collectively hold these bodies accountable? Moreover, the authors must acknowledge their role within these systems. Advocacy is not a position of moral superiority; but a practice of accountability and solidarity (Emery-Whittington &amp; Te Maro, 2018; Gilio-Whitaker, 2019; Shaffer, 1979). By failing to fully engage with the complexities of their positionality and the limitations of their approach, the authors risk reproducing the very power dynamics they seek to dismantle.  Conclusion In conclusion, the commentary by the AnonymOT Collective raises important questions about justice, silence, and complicity within the occupational therapy profession. However, its contradictions, omissions, and lack of transparency undermine its impact and credibility. As a Palestinian occupational therapist, I assert my right to know the identities of those who claim to speak on behalf of my people. I also call on the authors to critically reflect on their practices and to centre the voices and experiences of those directly affected by the injustices they discuss. Advocacy for justice is not a theoretical exercise; it is a practice rooted in courage, accountability, and solidarity. If the AnonymOT Collective wishes to contribute meaningfully to this work, they must embody these principles in both word and action. Anything less risks perpetuating the very silencing and complicity they seek to resist.  4  BABISH RESPONSE TO THE ANONYMOT COLLECTIVE  Acknowledgement Through this, I honour the extraordinary resilience, courage, and dedication of occupational therapists and all healthcare workers in Gaza and the West Bank. Amid unimaginable challenges, they continue to provide care, hope, and support to their communities. Their tireless commitment to human dignity and well-being, even in the face of systemic violence and devastation, inspires the global healthcare community. I reaffirm my responsibility to amplify their voices and advocate for justice.  References Amnesty International. (2024, December 5). Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territory:   You Feel Like You Are Subhuman  : Israel  s Genocide Against Palestinians in Gaza. https://www.amnesty. org/en/documents/mde15/8668/2024/en/ AnonymOT Collective. (2024). Occupational therapists speaking for justice and human rights: From complicit silencing to collective resistance. Aporia, 16(2), 15-26. Beaumont, P. (2024, March 25). Medical crisis in Gaza hospitals at   unimaginable   level, aid agencies say. The Guardian. https:// www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/25/gaza-medicalcrisis-hospitals-aid-agencies Córdoba, A. G. (2020). About new forms of colonization in occupational therapy. Reflections on the Idea of Occupational Justice from a critical-political philosophy perspective. Cadernos Brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional, 28(4), 1365   1381. https://doi.org/10.4322/2526-8910.ctoARF2175 Emery-Whittington, I., &amp; Te Maro, B. (2018). Decolonising occupation: Causing social change to help our ancestors rest and our descendants thrive. New Zealand Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65(1), 12  19. https://doi.org/10.3316/ informit.779745338782955 Euro-Med Human Rights. (2024). Israel  s demolition of educational institutions, cultural objects in Gaza is additional manifestation of genocide. Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor. https://euromedmonitor.org/en/article/6163/ Israel%E2%80%99s-demolition-of-educational-institutions,cultural-objects-in-Gaza-is-additional-manifestation-ofgenocide  Jadallah, C. C. (2024). Positionality, relationality, place, and land: Considerations for ethical research with communities. Qualitative Research, 14687941241246174. https://doi. org/10.1177/14687941241246174 Junior, J. D. L., Rudman, D. L., &amp; Lopes, R. E. (2024). Alliances between social occupational therapy and critical occupational science: Propositions to mobilize social justice. Journal of Occupational Science. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full /10.1080/14427591.2024.2374308 Khatib, R., McKee, M., &amp; Yusuf, S. (2024). Concerns regarding Gaza mortality estimates    Authors   reply. The Lancet, 404(10466), 1928. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01872-5 Leonardo, Z. (2004). The Color of Supremacy: Beyond the discourse of   white privilege.   Educational Philosophy and Theory, 36(2), 137  152. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.14695812.2004.00057.x Minarik, J. D. (2017). Privilege as Privileging: Making the Dynamic and Complex Nature of Privilege and Marginalization Accessible. Journal of Social Work Education, 53(1), 52  65. https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2016.1237913 Ramugondo, E. L. (2024). Occupational consciousness: Theorising to dismantle systemic racism and dehumanisation. Journal of Occupational Science, 1  17. https://doi.org/10.108 0/14427591.2024.2429681 Shaffer, T. (1979). Advocacy As Moral Discourse. Journal Articles. https://scholarship.law.nd.edu/law_faculty_scholarship/152 Ventres, W., Boelen, C., &amp; Haq, C. (2018). Time for action: Key considerations for implementing social accountability in the education of health professionals. Advances in Health Sciences Education, 23(4), 853  862. https://doi.org/10.1007/ s10459-017-9792-z  To join the author: Yousef R. Babish, doctoral student Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy University of Southern California 1540 Alcazar St, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, United States of America. E-mail: Ybabish@usc.edu.  Gilio-Whitaker, D. (2019). As Long as Grass Grows: The Indigenous Fight for Environmental Justice, from Colonization to Standing Rock. Beacon Press.  2025: Vol.17, Numéro 1/Vol.17 Issue 1  5

## Références

Amnesty International. (2024, December 5). Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territory: ‘You Feel Like You Are Subhuman’: Israel’s Genocide Against Palestinians in Gaza. https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde15/8668/2024/en/

Collective. (2024). Occupational therapists speaking for justice and human rights: From complicit silencing to collective resistance. Aporia, 16(2), 15-26.

Beaumont, P. (2024, March 25). Medical crisis in Gaza hospitals at ‘unimaginable’ level, aid agencies say. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/25/gaza-medical-crisis-hospitals-aid-agencies

A. G. (2020). About new forms of colonization in occupational therapy. Reflections on the Idea of Occupational Justice from a critical-political philosophy perspective. Cadernos Brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional, 28(4), 1365–1381. https://doi.org/10.4322/2526-8910.ctoARF2175

Emery-Whittington, I., & Te Maro, B. (2018). Decolonising occupation: Causing social change to help our ancestors rest and our descendants thrive. New Zealand Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65(1), 12–19. https://doi.org/10.3316/informit.779745338782955

Euro-Med Human Rights. (2024). Israel’s demolition of educational institutions, cultural objects in Gaza is additional manifestation of genocide. Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor. https://euromedmonitor.org/en/article/6163/Israel%E2%80%99s-demolition-of-educational-institutions,-cultural-objects-in-Gaza-is-additional-manifestation-of-genocide

Gilio-Whitaker, D. (2019). As Long as Grass Grows: The Indigenous Fight for Environmental Justice, from Colonization to Standing Rock. Beacon Press.

C. C. (2024). Positionality, relationality, place, and land: Considerations for ethical research with communities. Qualitative Research, 14687941241246174. https://doi.org/10.1177/14687941241246174

Junior, J. D. L., Rudman, D. L., & Lopes, R. E. (2024). Alliances between social occupational therapy and critical occupational science: Propositions to mobilize social justice. Journal of Occupational Science. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14427591.2024.2374308

R., McKee, M., & Yusuf, S. (2024). Concerns regarding Gaza mortality estimates – Authors’ reply. The Lancet, 404(10466), 1928. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01872-5

Z. (2004). The Color of Supremacy: Beyond the discourse of ‘white privilege.’ Educational Philosophy and Theory, 36(2), 137–152. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-5812.2004.00057.x

J. D. (2017). Privilege as Privileging: Making the Dynamic and Complex Nature of Privilege and Marginalization Accessible. Journal of Social Work Education, 53(1), 52–65. https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2016.1237913

E. L. (2024). Occupational consciousness: Theorising to dismantle systemic racism and dehumanisation. Journal of Occupational Science, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/14427591.2024.2429681

Shaffer, T. (1979). Advocacy As Moral Discourse. Journal Articles. https://scholarship.law.nd.edu/law_faculty_scholarship/152

W., Boelen, C., & Haq, C. (2018). Time for action: Key considerations for implementing social accountability in the education of health professionals. Advances in Health Sciences Education, 23(4), 853–862. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10459-017-9792-z