A Facebook page is being touted as the otherGaza Strip by featuring a host of Israeli women cheering on the country’s troops by emblazoning their breasts and buttocks with “I love IDF” slogans.
Entitled “Standing With The IDF”, the page pledges solidarity, stating: “Fighting for the Israeli front. You’ll guard on top, we’ll guard your bottoms! We will win this battle of beauty for you.”
Featuring women in various states of undress (no nipples though, this is Facebook, remember,) the page addresses IDF soldiers directly whilst mocking Muslim beliefs: “We are here as an act of appreciation, you are our heroes. The beauty of Israel girls is waiting for you, here back home. Come back to us.”
It adds that every month the page will select an IDF solider for “special treatment”, promising: “You know what they say, girls love heroes.”
The page is getting plenty of interest online and at time of press had amassed more than 13,000 likes.
While it is unquestionably up to the individual to use their body in what ever ways they see fit, some outlets are asking whether this particular form of protest is appropriate.
Writing for Salon, Jenny Kutner acknowledges “There is room for boobs in political protest,” (certainly Femen has thought so for several years), but asks:
“Is this just a creative way to say thank you to Israeli soldiers, or does it serve a larger purpose? Does it say anything about the ongoing crisis in Gaza or about the devastating death toll there?
“Does it help these women express themselves or speak to some other social issue?
“I don’t mean to suggest that these women should censor themselves or be censored by the media, but I do have questions (clearly) about where these Standing With IDF photos fit into the overall cause and whether they diminish that cause in any way.”
Fierce fighting across Gaza on Thursday saw at least 119 Palestinians killed in the bloodiest day of the 17-day conflict, taking the total death toll to at least 803.
Israel has lost 32 soldiers since launching a full-scale ground war in the enclave, with two Israeli and one Thai civilian killed by rocket or mortar fire.
Kutner surmises: “Regardless of the explanation, my hope is that there is one and that Standing With IDF has some deeper meaning I don’t see.
“Because a lot of people are dying, and that isn’t usually why people decide to show their boobs.”
What do you think?