In light of the hardships faced by Palestinian women—stemming from a violent colonial reality marked by an ongoing war, a suffocating siege, repeated incursions, as well as deeply rooted societal violence supported by patriarchal culture and discriminatory laws and policies—the Psychosocial Counseling Center for Women continues to carry out its professional and humanitarian mission. PSCCW works to highlight these challenges, reduce their psychological and social impacts, and defend women’s dignity and their right to live in safety.
In this context, PSCCW and the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organization Against Domestic Violance Against Women (Al Muntada) strongly condemns the recent smear and incitement campaign directed against it following the publication of an invitation to the opening of its center in the Old City of Hebron (H2 area). The invitation was circulated and republished by the “Melh Al-Balad” page and included false accusations, misleading information, and inciting hate speech, using dangerous terms such as “collaboration with the occupation,” “American guardianship,” “destruction of society,” and “stirring discord,” in a clear attempt to undermine PSCCW’s work, distort its mission, and violate the dignity of the women who benefit from its services.
This inciting discourse cannot be separated from a broader wave of systematic incitement against feminist and human rights work, nor from a deliberate disregard for the harm and violations faced by Palestinian women. Hate campaigns have gone so far as to demonize feminist discourse grounded in the human rights framework, criminalize any emancipatory or civic perspectives, and label them as attacks on religious sanctities or threats to societal values. Such practices represent the highest levels of exclusion, bullying, and rejection of others, and they undermine the foundations of social cohesion and community peace.
The Palestinian Non-Governmental Organization Against Domestic Violance Against Women (Al Muntada) further affirms that PSCCW since the start of its work in Hebron Governorate, it has fully adhered to professional values, neutrality, respect for privacy, and work under the supervision of qualified specialists, in coordination with relevant official and community institutions, foremost among them the Hebron Municipality. It also confirms that all its interventions in the H2 area were carried out in direct response to real psychological and social needs resulting from the reality of occupation, repeated incursions, violence, and the compounded pressures faced by women, children, and families.
The Psychosocial Counseling Center for Women is the only institution providing independent and specialized services from within an existing building in the H2 area. Since the opening of its office in 2021, it has been delivering psychological, social, legal, and relief services within a safe and neutral environment that respects the privacy of the local community and the sensitivity of the area.
Over more than four years of continuous work (2021–to date), more than 900 children have benefited from psychosocial support programs, over 1,200 women and girls have received counseling and empowerment services, and between 250 and 350 university students have participated.
in support sessions and awareness-raising activities. The continuation of incitement and smear campaigns risks obstructing access to these vital services for more women and children and exposing them to further stigma and harm.
Portraying psychosocial and mental health counseling, the protection of women and children, and family support as “collaboration,” “destruction of society,” or “stirring discord” constitutes dangerous and direct incitement. It is a deliberate attempt to link humanitarian work to political and ideological narratives that have no connection to the reality of the institution’s work, and it reflects a disregard for women’s rights and the community’s genuine needs.
PSCCW emphasizes that the testimonies of the women beneficiaries themselves—who have openly expressed the positive impact of these services on their lives and the lives of their families—categorically refute all attempts at defamation and expose the deep harm caused by hate speech to women and their right to access safe psychological and social support.
Accordingly, Al Muntada considers the actions directed against the Psychosocial Counseling Center for Women as acts of defamation, incitement, dissemination of false information, and undermining of social cohesion. The Center affirms its full right to take all necessary legal measures against anyone who participated in, incited, or promoted this harmful discourse.
In conclusion, the Psychosocial Counseling Center for Women and the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organization Against Domestic Violance Against Women (Al Muntada) affirms that these campaigns will not deter it from carrying out its humanitarian and professional mission. On the contrary, they strengthen its resolve to continue working to support the resilience of women, children, and families, especially in areas subjected daily to violations by the occupation. The Center will remain alongside our community in the Old City and throughout Hebron Governorate, committed to the law, professional ethics, and the trust of the local community, which we value and consider a fundamental pillar of our work.
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شارع القدس الخليل بجانب شركة الحلا
