In a special session with the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Tuesday, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations urged Israel to press the United Nations to hold Hamas accountable for sexual violence.
“We were outraged by Hamas’s brutal Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the reports of extensive weaponization of sexual violence,” said Carol Ann Schwartz, National President of World Hadassah. “The United Nations has yet to list Hamas as a party suspected of committing patterns of rape in armed conflict or hold the terrorist organization accountable for these crimes against humanity. We will not give up. Sexual violence in conflict is increasing worldwide, and accountability is key to preventing future atrocities.”
She added that her organization had met with U.N. leaders and mobilized over 150,000 grassroots signatures from nearly 120 countries to “demand that the United Nations speak out and hold Hamas accountable.”
“As Jewish women, our bodies share the pain—the impacts of dehumanization, objectification and hate that are playing out on our campuses and beyond,” said Meredith Jacobs, CEO of Jewish Women International (JWI). “Jewish survivors of sexual violence no longer feel safe seeking help from mainstream agencies. Those of us in the field have lost colleagues, and women’s studies programs at universities across the United States are teaching that Israel is weaponizing feminism and that Zionists are not to be trusted.”
Freed hostages have outlined the sexual assault they suffered at the hands of Hamas terrorists during their time in captivity. Released Israeli hostage Amit Soussana told the New York Times that a guard forced her to “commit a sexual act on him” at gunpoint.
“Rape is a violation against humanity,” said Sheila Katz, CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women. “It must never be normalized—not in our cities, not on our campuses, not as a tool of war. But silence itself normalizes rape.”
“I wish I could sit with the women Hamas silenced on Oct. 7 and tell them: Your last moments will not define you,” she added. “We are fighting to ensure no one else suffers as you did. Let this be the revolution they inspire.”
The committee, chaired by Knesset member Yuli Edelstein, “reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to ensuring that Hamas is held accountable,” according to a press release.
In March of 2024, the United Nations stated there was “convicing proof” Hamas perpetuated sexual violence on Oct. 7, but did not take action. The United Nations was given separate report on Hamas’ sexual violence in November of that same year. Despite its silence, the author of the report, Yifat Bitton, an Israeli law professor, told JNS the global body received it better than expected.