NCJW Reacts to UN Women’s Delayed, Tepid Response to Gender-Based War Crimes by Hamas in October 7 Attack

In response to UN Women’s statement made on Saturday, November 25th —their first response to the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel on October 7th, 2023 — Sheila Katz, CEO of National Council of Jewish Women, a recognized United Nations NGO, released the following:

“National Council of Jewish Women has long admired UN Women for their moral voice when women around the world are harmed. Regrettably, this moral voice seems intentionally absent for Israeli women who experienced gender-based war crimes, an unconscionable silence that demands immediate rectification.

“Yesterday, on the United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, UN Women finally issued a belated and tepid response to Hamas’ appalling acts in Israel on October 7th, including using rape as a weapon of war. This is unacceptable. 

“The delayed issuance of a statement that fails to explicitly address the severity of Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel — such as the brutal murder of over 1,200 people in Israel, torture, and rape of women, as well as the targeting of civilians and families — is equally reprehensible. Immediate and unequivocal acknowledgment of these atrocities is imperative, given the blatant violation of international law.

“NCJW will be at the United Nations on December 4th alongside Israeli feminist leaders and experts to share testimony of sexual based violence from October 7th. We hope UN Women attends this session to listen to these horrific stories and follows it by issuing a new statement.”