Sexual violence as a weapon of war during October 7 massacre

[Twiglets1]

A new report providing the first legal framework for prosecuting Hamas terrorists for the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war during the October 7, 2023, massacre is being presented by the Dinah Project to First Lady Michal Herzog at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.

The report confirms that Hamas systematically used rape and sexual violence as tools of war during the October 7 massacres and is the first to present a legal roadmap for identifying and pursuing justice for the use of sexual violence as a weapon of warfare, which constitutes a crime against humanity.

The gathering of primarily women notably includes former hostage Ilana Gritzewsky, who has publicly spoken about being sexually assaulted by her captors in Gaza.

“This report tells the truth as it is — shocking, painful, but necessary. On behalf of all those who were harmed, we are committed to continuing the fight until their cries are heard everywhere and justice is done,” says First Lady Michal Herzog.

“We carry here a universal message: that sexual violence cannot be accepted as a tool of war,” she says, drawing attention to the plight of the remaining 50 hostages, including Inbar Hayman, the single female captive who is believed to be dead.

www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/report-provides-legal-framework-to-prosecute-sexual-violence-during-oct-7-hamas-massacre/

'Freedom fighters don't rape': The making of the landmark report on Hamas' sexual crimes

Retired judge Nava Ben-Or, co-author of Project Dinah, details the systematic use of sexual violence by Hamas as a weapon of war, emphasizing devastating psychological impact and obligation to bring terrorists to trial.

On Hamas’s use of sexual violence as a tactical weapon, Ben-Or emphasized it was clearly systematic from the outset. “As soon as reports, rumors and statements emerged, and evidence from the ground accumulated, it was evident,” she said.

This was corroborated by a UN under-secretary-general’s report on sexual violence in war, which identified a recurring pattern across multiple sites, ruling out isolated incidents. “This wasn’t a sporadic attack by an individual during the invasion of Israel,” she noted.

Equally critical is the international dimension. “By showing these acts stem from genocidal indoctrination, blatant antisemitism and complete dehumanization of the attacked side, it becomes nearly impossible to portray Hamas terrorists as freedom fighters,” she said. “Freedom fighters don’t rape or sexually assault victims. Exposing these acts ensures the true picture isn’t distorted, so history records what happened.”

https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ryot7hjsxg

From the same article:

The report aims to influence global public opinion beyond Israel’s judicial system. “Wherever we speak, we’re heard with great respect,” Ben-Or said. “Even if you believe Israel is entirely responsible for the war, you cannot justify this type of terrorism. There’s no ‘but.’ It’s an unequivocal ‘no.’

"Sexual violence during an attack cannot be framed with political arguments.” The project’s message, she stressed, is not political. “Saying ‘yes, but’ implies there are cases where this horrific weapon is legitimate. Our clear stance, which we bring to the international stage, is heard.

"We speak not from a political perspective but from the most basic human one: this cannot be a weapon of war—not in Darfur, not in Congo, not against Yazidis, not in Ukraine and not in Israel.”

I guess that is why there is so little interest from the (normally vocal) pro Palestinian supporters on this board in what Hamas did on October 7th in using rape as a weapon of war. With the honourable exception of @Whatsinanamehey who has condemned it unconditionally.

Many prefer to find excuses for Hamas behaviour in triggering this war & don't want to see them as the terrorist rapists they are.

I can’t read it. Sounds too awful. But I throughly agree with her. Rape should never be used as a weapon and this type of terrorism should always be condemned no matter what your feelings are on Israel’s conduct at the moment

Exactly.

Yet some still cannot see why it is not harmless to gloss over what actually happened on October 7th.

Or even worse to show solidarity for Hamas ( “Up Hamas”) like that Irish group, Kneecap.

Do you still think that what happened on October 7th looks like nothing @girljulian?

I agree. People gloss over people’s pain to try and dismiss, excuse or minimise their suffering to undermine the other “side” unfortunately. We see this from people on both sides both here on this board and across the world.

Ultimately any peace process would acknowledge the history and the pain and suffering and wrongs of both sides. Unfortunately there isn’t the right people in power for that to even begin to happen now.

Absolutely this; the way in which Hamas' massacre is swept away, is unreal. Then you get the comparing numbers as to how many have been killed in the current conflict. That mindset of saying oh well, 1200 killed versus hundreds of thousands, says everything about the simple approach some posters take. The worst example I saw was somebody saying it should have been quits, after the barbaric slaughter.

That’s how most people argue though. They decide what side they like, then they use whatever arguments are to hand to support their team. It’s why threads like this never get anywhere, they might as well be about football.

I would say the avoidance of delving into this is worldwide, not just the British press.

We should be asking ourselves why should the press be concerned about the ‘ire of some Muslims’ when reporting factual information.

Is that ever a concern when reporting on events involving followers of other religions?

Good point. We've seen exactly what that ire is capable of, as well - globally.

The west does this when the rape victims are also Muslim. It really pisses me off. Western feminists do little to speak about this for fear of offending. Women in the middle east and other parts of the world are already voiceless enough. In many cases we can't protest or say anything.