Israel Bonds Dec. 12 Briefing Seeks to Shatter the Silence on Hamas Atrocities Against Women

On Dec. 12, the Israel Bonds Women’s Division is hosting “Shattering the Silence,” a virtual event to raise awareness around how Hamas terrorists murdered, sexually assaulted, and violated women during the Oct. 7 attacks.

Hamas’ brutal violence against Israeli women and girls has been met with silence from the international community.

The Dec. 12 meeting will feature the perspectives of Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy, Chair of The Civil Commission on Oct. 7th Crimes by Hamas against Women and Children, and Israeli actress and women's rights advocate Moran Atias.

Dr. Elkayam-Levy’s research — which is published in top U.S. legal journals — centers on women’s international human rights, national security issues, domestic implementation of international human rights law, religious liberties, transformative social changes, feminist theories, and sustainable development. Before arriving at University of Pennsylvania’s Carey Law School, she served as a legal counsel for the Human Rights Division under the Deputy Attorney General of Israel (in international affairs). She has received several awards for her leadership and public service. She is also a Law Professor at Reichman University, and Founder and Head of the Dvora Institute for Gender and Sustainability Studies.

Atias is best known for her roles in Tyrant (2014), Third Person (2013), The Next Three Days (2010), and Mother of Tears (2007), among other productions. Along with her sister Shani Atias, she founded "Me First," a movement advocating for women to prioritize themselves and their goals.

Regarding the atrocities that Hamas committed against Israeli women on Oct. 7, Moran Atias said in a video released by the Kan broadcaster, "Hamas filmed it, and the world saw, and women's organizations stayed silent. Why? Why did they stay silent?...Well, in fact, on October 20th, the most leading women's organization did speak up. God, I was excited. The UN Women organization released a very concerned report for the displaced women from Gaza, but nothing for the displaced women from Be'eri, Nir Oz, Kfar Aza, Ashkelon, Sderot, who were attacked by Hamas. Nothing for the Israeli mothers who buried their daughters and sons. Nothing for the Israeli girls raped and left to be spit on. Nothing for 44 days."

"Maybe Jewish women don't matter enough," she added, "because if you can't condemn a sadistic, barbaric, rapist, woman-hating terrorist organization, then who are you? I want to believe that when you say humanity, not racism, I want to believe that 'Me Too' means 'We Too.' We too ask you to say something. We too Israeli women ask you to do something."