But no one thought of them as heroes. Similarly, Palestinian women's societies, by providing work and social services, gave people the means to remain on the land during the occupation. So these women's groups have had a profound political impact. But many people don't see it. And just as American women faded from view after the war, Ameri says, Palestinian women have lost influence since the signing of the 1993 Oslo peace accord.
Men dominate traditional politics in the Palestinian territories.
Of the 88 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council, five are women. But women's societies continue to play a pivotal role meeting basic needs and cultivating a national identity while the fledgling Palestinian National Authority gets on its feet. Bedridden with a dislocated hip, the dark-haired Khalil looks frail as she sips her fresh fruit shake. They go about it in different ways, but the aim is the same. It may look like we women are working on welfare more than politics, but by working on one, we are working on the other.