Since the launch of Hadassah’s End The Silence campaign, there have been significant updates in the fight to end gender-based violence — from the United Nations to the EU. Keep reading to learn more about these new developments, which build on the amazing work of Hadassah supporters around the world to bring attention to Hamas’ brutal war crimes on October 7.
UN Reports on Sexual Violence
In March, UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten released a report following a fact-finding mission to Israel. The report found “clear and convincing information” of rape and sexualized torture being committed against hostages kidnapped during the October 7 terror attacks and evidence of sexual violence, including rape in multiple locations. Several weeks later, former hostage Amit Soussana bravely came forward and shared details of the cruel sexual abuse she endured while being illegally held hostage by Hamas.
Most recently, the UN released its annual report on conflict-related sexual violence. This report found “reasonable grounds to believe that conflict-related sexual violence occurred during the 7 October attacks in multiple locations across Gaza periphery, including rape and gang rape, in at least three locations” and evidence of sexual violence committed against women and children hostages held by Hamas. However, the report did not go so far as to name Hamas as the perpetrator of the sexual violence, instead stating that a more thorough investigation would be needed.
Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz released a statement following the release of the report, continuing calls for an independent, unbiased and thorough investigation into Hamas' rape, sexual abuse and mutilation of Israeli women and girls on October 7.
EU Sanctions Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad
On April 12, the EU voted to adopt sanctions against Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad for their acts of sexual violence on October 7. The EU sanctions go a step further than previous actions and condemn the fighters’ systematic sexual and gender-based violence as a weapon of war. We hope that other international bodies like the UN will join the EU in condemning these brutal acts of sexual violence as weapons of war.
Hadassah members and supporters, who signed the End The Silence petition and held events in Europe, were vital to this important step towards holding Hamas terrorists accountable. In one event held in Paris on International Women’s Day, a heap of red-paint-splattered shoes towered in front of France’s most iconic landmark, the Eiffel Tower.
Congress Condemns Hamas’ Gender-Based Violence
Hadassah volunteers have been tirelessly contacting their representatives in Congress and urging them to do more to condemn Hamas’ shocking acts of sexual violence on October 7. In the Senate, S.Res. 505m which condemns Hamas’ war crimes and demands an unbiased investigation, passed out of the Foreign Relations Committee.
In the House, Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) introduced H.Res. 1147, which demands the United Nations and other international organizations hold the terrorists responsible for committing unthinkable acts of sexual violence and sexual torture accountable.
The Power of Our Advocacy
Even at the local level, Hadassah advocates have continued to use their voices to support End The Silence. Rachel Vigderman, co-president of the Northampton/Amherst Chapter of Hadassah, recently published an opinion in the Daily Hampshire Gazette sharing the successes of the End The Silence campaign and urging readers to take action.
Seeing the power of the advocacy work of Hadassah members who have supported the End The Silence campaign, signed the petition, held events and more has been amazing. We are making a difference. We must continue to speak out and demand justice for Israeli women and girls.
What You Can Do
Urge Your Senators to Condemn Rape as a Weapon of War!
Watch Our End The Silence Video
A Passover Message from National President Carol Ann Schwartz