Whispers of Loss, Echoes of Strength: The Experience of Bedouin Arab Grandparents Who Lost a Grandchild in War
There are 47 unrecognized Bedouin villages located in the ‘open areas’ of the Negev in southern Israel that lack protection from the Iron Dome missile defense system. Having no safe shelters or permanent houses, these communities are more prone to direct injury from rocket fire, resulting in a more significant number of casualties. During the 7/10 war, 19 civilians from the Negev Bedouin Arab population were killed, including six children (Arava Institute, 2023). The purpose of this study is to explore in depth the bereavement experience of Bedouin grandparents following the death of a grandchild during the war. We examine this phenomenon from an intersectionality perspective, emphasizing the overlap between minority status, advanced age, and the experience of bereavement.
This study employs a qualitative narrative approach. Data collection consists of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 10 Bedouin grandparents who lost grandchildren during the war. Interviews have been conducted in Arabic to ensure a culturally sensitive exploration of their experiences. Thematic analysis is used to analyze the data. Two themes will be introduced in the current presentation based on results from data analysis: (1) “When it’s war and sudden, it’s harsh”, describing the experience of traumatic loss and accompanying emotions following bereavement; (2) “God gives you the strength to endure the suffering”, illustrating how faith in God can be a source of meaning and comfort. We expect this study to provide a deeper understanding of bereavement processes among minority groups in conflict settings, offering insights into culturally sensitive coping mechanisms.
