Settler violence and care toward donkeys reflect broader patterns of Palestinian dispossession and resistance.
Original framing: “Donkeys are a symbol of endurance for Palestinians – they are also a target of settler violence and care” — The Conversation - Global
The use of donkeys in Palestinian society has deep historical roots, mirroring the role of animals in other agrarian and colonized societies. The current violence against donkeys reflects historical patterns of colonial control through resource and animal exploitation, as seen in the British Empire’s treatment of Indigenous animals.
The treatment of donkeys in Palestine is a lens through which to view the broader dynamics of settler-colonial violence and resistance.
Indigenous knowledge, historical patterns, and cross-cultural perspectives reveal that animal care is not just practical but deeply spiritual and political. By integrating scientific, artistic, and marginalized voices, we can develop holistic solutions that protect both people and animals. This synthesis calls for a reimagining of justice that includes non-human beings as active participants in the struggle for land, dignity, and survival.