OPINION:
Last week, the United Nations heralded the arrival of a critical report from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, illuminating the dark corners of Hamas’ October 7 onslaught against Israel. The document lays bare the chilling acts of sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas and its terrorist allies, as well as the harrowing experiences of hostages spirited away to Gaza.
Despite its significance, the report’s presentation suffers from unnecessary verbosity and redundancy, which unfortunately clouds its pivotal disclosures. The complete report is available here.
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Nonetheless, this document breaks new ground by being the first from the U.N. to confirm three critical truths:
First, it asserts there are “reasonable grounds to believe that conflict-related sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, took place at several sites around the Gaza periphery during the October 7, 2023 attacks.”
Second, it presents “credible circumstantial evidence of sexual violence manifestations, such as genital mutilation, sexualized torture, or cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment.”
Third, it reveals that “the investigation unearthed incontrovertible evidence that some hostages taken to Gaza endured various forms of conflict-related sexual violence, with a strong likelihood of ongoing abuses” [p. 21-22].
These findings, while shocking, confirm what Israel has been documenting and sharing with the world for months — despite the brazen broadcast of their heinous acts by terrorists themselves. Outlets like the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times have previously delved into the sexual violence episodes of October 7.
Indeed, this report is a watershed moment; it vindicates Israel by officially acknowledging the atrocities committed. However, it arrives belatedly and fails to unequivocally denounce the underlying antisemitism fueling Hamas’ terrorist agenda to attack and murder 1,200 innocent civilians and abduct more than 200 others. This document feels more like an attempt to placate with minimal acknowledgment than a genuine effort towards justice.
We, as a people and a nation, refuse to be sidelined or silenced. Our quest for justice is unwavering; we will not rest until every victim is honored and every hostage is returned. Months of misrepresentation and silence cannot be undone by a mere “report.” Justice demands more than acknowledgment; it requires action, reparations and a commitment to truth.
Regrettably, the premise of expecting a forthright and impartial report from any UN entity is fundamentally flawed. The disillusionment stems not just from aspiration but from witnessing, over the past five months, a continuum of bias within the U.N. — from Secretary General António Guterres, perceived by some as sympathizing with terroristic narratives, to U.N. Women, accused of echoing Hamas’ statistics and even to UNRWA employees allegedly involved in terrorism.
This skepticism is the backdrop as we scrutinize the details.
Inquiries clouded by bias
Despite the Israeli government’s full cooperation — evidenced by site visits, review of thousands of photos and footage, and interviews with survivors — the U.N. report hesitates to unequivocally acknowledge the evident sexual violence suffered by Israelis on October 7. This hesitance persists even when faced with harrowing testimonies and irrefutable evidence of atrocities.
The U.N. hesitates where clarity is needed most: burned bodies preclude conclusions on sexual violence, while the undeniable presence of bound bodies with genital injuries and a pattern of female victims found undressed and bound is met with cautious speculation rather than firm acknowledgment.
This reluctance extends to questioning the authenticity of evidence and the integrity of survivors, suggesting an underlying skepticism toward Israeli narratives. Such skepticism is underscored by a quickness to discredit allegations of sexual violence, providing a semblance of vindication to critics and deniers of the October 7 atrocities.
Incomplete investigation
Acknowledging its limitations, the report admits to an incomplete investigation, raising questions about the prioritization of U.N. resources and its commitment to justice for the victims of such heinous crimes. This admission further strains the already tenuous trust between the U.N. and the survivors of the October 7 attacks, exacerbated by a lack of accountability for the UN’s own role in amplifying narratives that minimize Israeli suffering.
Curiously, the report’s limited mention of Hamas and its failure to categorically denounce the organization as a terror group reveal a concerning reticence to fully confront the architects of the October 7 massacre. The report’s avoidance of terms like “terror attack” and “massacre” in describing an event of such brutality speaks volumes about its stance. Hamas’ actions exist beyond terror – they constitute crimes against humanity.
Pursuit of equivocation
The report’s decision to include considerations of unverified allegations against Israel in a document meant to address the sexual violence perpetrated by terrorists on October 7 is telling. This inclusion seems to dilute the focus on Israeli victims, suggesting a misplaced eagerness to find fault with Israel rather than addressing the terror inflicted by Hamas.
Deafening silence
The conspicuous absence of widespread dissemination of the report by the U.N. and related entities, despite its damning evidence against Hamas, underscores a concerning reluctance to confront the realities presented. The silence on social media platforms and official websites about this critical report is a stark testament to the U.N.’s priorities and its reluctance to amplify narratives that highlight Israeli suffering.
Confronting UN’s Moral Bankruptcy
The evidence suggests that the U.N.’s proclaimed neutrality and humanitarian principles are compromised when it comes to Israel. The organization’s failure to adequately support Israeli victims of terrorism and sexual violence, coupled with its cozy relationship with regimes that sponsor such terror, calls into question its claim to moral authority.
The minimal effort made to acknowledge the atrocities committed against Israelis on October 7 is insufficient. It is not enough to merely recognize the suffering; there must be a concerted effort to address it and hold those responsible accountable.
In calling for accountability and demanding more from the U.N., we champion a vision for a world where justice is not just a possibility but a reality for all, irrespective of nationality or background.
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Danielle Ofek is an Israeli activist and a pioneering figure in tech and social entrepreneurship, known for her dynamic approach to gender parity and women’s rights. Recognizing a significant gap in the international community’s response to the sexual violence perpetrated against Israeli women and girls on October 7th, Danielle founded Angle, an initiative aimed at addressing this critical issue.
Angle was born out of a necessity to challenge the prevalent misinformation and biases in the reporting and responses to these incidents. Under Danielle’s guidance, the initiative has been instrumental in redirecting the narrative towards a more accurate and unbiased portrayal of the events.
Over the past six years, Danielle has been actively involved in working with enterprises and corporations, focusing on bridging the gender parity divide. She has been a fervent advocate for encouraging women to ascend to leadership positions, a commitment that is evident in her groundbreaking work.
The #MeToo_Unless_UR_A_Jew campaign is one of Angle’s key projects, launched to bring these pressing issues into the spotlight of international discourse. This campaign reflects Danielle’s dedication to not just highlighting problems but actively seeking solutions and advocating for change.
In 2019, Danielle’s expertise and passion led her to speak at the UN - CSW63. There, she discussed women in tech as part of her project, Parliament51, further showcasing her commitment to empowering women in all sectors. Danielle’s work, both through Angle and her various other initiatives, positions her as a formidable force in the fight for women’s rights and gender equality on the global stage.
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