We Were the Lucky Ones
7 min read
In the aftermath of Hamas’ brutal attacks on women, many women’s groups are strangely silent.
Hamas’ October 7 assault on Israel left 1,200 dead, many more wounded, and saw the abduction of over 140 hostages. Terrorists targeted women especially. Their sexual abuse was systematic, deliberate, and wide-scale, as Hamas soldiers, under explicit instructions to rape Jewish women, carried out their sadistic acts.
Trigger alert: the following paragraph contains details of sexual abuse.
As the Times of Israel reports: “The sexual abuse committed by Hamas includes acts of gang rape, genital mutilation and necrophilia.” Hamas terrorists gang raped women before killing them. They raped young girls, old women, and disabled people. Many of their victims were attacked so savagely that they had broken pelvises and legs. Hamas terrorists cut open the abdomens of pregnant Jewish women, removed their fetuses, and beheaded both mothers and babies. Hamas fighters paraded naked and partially-naked bodies of women they’d killed through the streets of Gaza as people danced, cheered and shouted God is Great in Arabic.
Terrorists filmed their attacks and broadcast them on social media - including on accounts belonging to the victims themselves - thereby violating their victims a second time.
With 240 Israeli hostages currently being held in Gaza - including babies, children, women, people with disabilities, and the elderly - many worry that some are being forced into sexual slavery.
Given the orgy of violence towards Jewish women that day, one might expect a groundswell of outrage and calls for prosecutions from many of the world’s women’s organizations. Israelis would have been buoyed by statements of solidarity showing they were not alone, that their intense national pain was shared by others.
The world’s foremost women’s organizations have shrugged off Hamas’ attacks, remaining silent about Hamas’ outrages while they bash Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Israeli investigators trying to build a case to prosecute the mass rapes could have used some practical help: with so many hundreds upon hundreds of dead to identify, valuable DNA evidence that could have been used to build cases to prosecute rape has been degraded and irrevocably lost.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) considers sexual violence during an armed attack to be a war crime. When rape is used as part of a widespread or systematic attack on civilians, the ICC considers it to be a crime against humanity, as well. International groups could have helped build cases against Hamas terrorists, holding them accountable for mass rape and sexual violence.
Instead there’s been only silence.
The world’s foremost women’s organizations have shrugged off Hamas’ attacks, remaining silent about Hamas’ outrages while they bash Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Take UN Women, the United Nations body responsible for ensuring women’s rights globally. A full six days after the Hamas attack, UN Women released a bland statement merely deploring “attacks on civilians in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.” They made no mention of Hamas’ brutal rapes; most of their surreal, corporate-speak report expresses sympathy not for Israeli victims of mass rape and is capable only of feeling empathy for Gazans affected by Israel’s war against Hamas.
The United States’ National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA) finally issued a statement about the attacks on October 13, nearly a week afterwards. Instead of decrying mass rape of women and use of sexual violence acts of war, the NWSA lamented “extensive loss of civilians life in the past few days” among both Jews and Arabs, obfuscating who the victims were. The statement then went on to state Israel is illegitimate and to call for a mass boycott of the Jewish state. NWSA declared their support for “Palestinian liberation”; the word “rape” never appears.
Ms. Magazine remained silent about Hamas’ attacks for a week, then finally ran a column criticizing Israel for attacking Hamas. They did not use the word “rape” even once. Equality Now, a major international grassroots feminist organization, hasn’t condemned Hamas. Instead, they issued a statement “acknowledging” the “pain and suffering” of “all people”, a cruel gesture, given that Israeli women were targeted specifically for being Israeli and for being women.
Supporting radical Palestinian movements has become a core value of some of the most prestigious feminist organizations in recent years. Two years ago, amidst previous fighting between Hamas and Israel, over 120 Gender Studies departments across the English-speaking world joined a statement denouncing Israel and proclaiming that their “inclusive feminist vision(s)” mandated that they support Palestinian opposition to the Jewish state.
Too many feminists today look at Hamas’ mass rape of women and girls and see nothing.
Feminist groups are placing fealty to a radical vision that excuses Hamas’ violence over their commitment to women’s safety and rights. Like Alice through the looking glass, too many feminists today look at Hamas’ mass rape of women and girls and see nothing. Only Israel’s perceived evil is worthy of comment and condemnation. Groups justify any and all “liberation struggles” against Israel. It’s a tacit way of endorsing Hamas’ extreme agenda.
One of the most visible feminist groups in Britain today, Sisters Uncut, is emerging as a major player trying to push public opinion against Israel. Originally formed to provide emergency support for victims of domestic violence, the group has become a strident apologist for Hamas. On October 31, Sisters Uncut arranged a demonstration demanding that Israel immediately cease fighting in Gaza, letting Hamas retain power and giving it space to rearm. When Sisters Uncut closed down busy Liverpool Station in London with a sit-in, 500 people joined them. They’ve promised more mass disruptions demanding that Israel cease fighting.
Britain’s Jewish Chronicle points out that Sisters Uncut’s demonstration came a day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke publicly about what he’d seen in footage of Hamas attacks. (Warning: the following italicized paragraph is highly graphic; sensitive readers might want to skip to the next non-italicized text.)
Blinken “described one Israeli family in a kibbutz who were tortured by Hamas terrorists. The father’s eyes were gouged out, the mother’s breasts sliced off, the eight-year-old girl’s foot cut off, the six-year-old boy’s fingers cut off. They were all then executed, and their killer sat down and ate the breakfast the family had been enjoying together before hell emerged in their home.”
For a feminist group to tacitly support Hamas after these atrocities became publicly known defies belief. Yet Sisters Uncut is hardly alone. Feminist group after feminist group is placing “intersectionality” - the belief that one struggle (say, for women’s rights) is inextricably linked to all other global struggles (such as Hamas’) - above their mandates to protect women and girls.
It’s doubly ironic that few women’s groups are condemning Hamas, given Hamas’ dismal record on women’s rights. In Gaza, Hamas courts have ruled that women need a guardian’s permission to travel. Hamas imposes draconian rules of modern dress on women and allowed discrimination against women in the workplace to increase. Hamas is openly tolerant of honor killings. It enforces rigid gender discrimination in school. Hamas blocked attempts to set up a women’s television station in Gaza, dashing hopes that women could be empowered even within the rigid gender barriers on which Hamas insists. Overlooking these and other assaults on women’s rights betrays the foundational principles of women’s organizations around the world.
While it’s too late to document Hamas’ sex crimes in Israel in a manner that could result in legal prosecution, women’s groups can still make the right choice and condemn Hamas’ barbaric assaults.
Dozens of Jewish women’s organizations have gone on record condemning Hamas’ attacks. It’s time for the major women’s groups to follow suit.
Hamas (Violence) is an intolerable terror group. I’m horrified & shocked at the brutal attacks against innocent Israeli families. I do not subscribe to any women’s organization, & I hope the rest of those crooks will go out of business. The devil hates Jewish people for many reasons, especially because they wrote the Bible.
Jewish women and men must remember that we only can depend on ourselves, no one else. But please let it work both ways. Others should no longer have Jewish people support their causes or 'march' with them in their time of need.
Words cannot describe my horrified emotions that many world organizations, women's rights groups and people not standing with and defending the rights of human beings during this horrible war. Failing to tell the truth about the atrocities committed by Hamas toward innocent Israeli women and children is as if denial is acceptable. As a grandmother and mother who is part of the Me Too movement, I'm shocked at the lack of support and response from the world. Saying nothing or denying the truth is an atrocity of its own.
Strange that they don’t realize that in supporting Hamas they are undermining their entire purpose. In condoning the rape and brutalisation of Israeli women they have charged the issue of rape and brutalisation of women from an issue of BEHAVIOUR to an issue of CIRCUMSTANCE. And if rape and brutalisation of women can be allowed in one set of circumstances, it can be allowed in other circumstances and soon in all circumstances.
Continuing..
In Amnesty International it goes on to describe other “ war crimes” that Israel launched against Gaza Strip in August and discriminatory practices and treatment of Palestinians and occupied Palestinian Territories. Human Rights Watch focuses on the cutoff of electricity, supplies in Gaza, etc. The UN women is a joke, don’t count on them to support wholly Israeli women.
Consequently, I cannot support any of the 25 on that list.
Now, focusing on women’s groups located in Israel such as Women’s International Zionist Organization; Does anyone know which are focused on the victims of the October 7th massacre?
This article and another campaign speaking out against the rapes of October 7 th had me searching for international Woman’s organizations to support. I searched one by one the 25 that are listed. The first one being UN Women. Now it is no surprise to me why it appears a lot of women are not speaking out against Hamas. The October 7 th invasion and massacre of Israel is being underplayed by the thousands of reported civilian deaths in Gaza. I could not find one organization on that list that condemned Hamas for rapes or violence against women. Human rights watch was lukewarm in their support with more focus onto Gaza and destruction Israel is causing. Amnesty International has scathing articles against Israel describing Israel as oppressive, war crimes, and charged with apartheid.
My dear well-meaning liberal friends remain clouded in disbelief anchored in self-delusion. The new feminist movement is no more about women’s rights than the radical climate-change movement is about improving the environment.
When will all these European and American women realise that the people their hearts bleed for, are the ones who want to put them into burqas?
A woman who supports Hamas is a woman who deserves to be in a burqa.
You are surprised that major women's organizations do not support Israel?
Don't be.
Sadly, there are Jewish women's organizations that practice 'intersectionality" and bless the BDS movement.
We can't even teach these Jewish organizations to be on board. Forget matriarchy and patriarchy. These women's organizations hate anyone that subscribes to 'rules and regulations'.
Robert,
Excellent points but perhaps I missed Dr. Miller's analysis and explanation of "Why" these women's organizations have reacted in this way. The silence has been deafening but to what does she attribute the causes?
It's pure anti-antisemitism.
Anti-semitism.
It's so much easier to blame the Jews for all the problems of the World than to face up to them themselves.
Women’s groups in America do nothing for anybody but themselves. They only collect donations that go for “office workers” paychecks. They are a silent hate groups that are nothing but self serving. They don’t care.
Amazing!
revealing!
please try to spread this to the world
It's unthinkable! It's horrendous! We're good people.The terrorists anyone supporting them are sub-human. The Jews need more support. Of course, we have G-d.
Leftist insanity imbued and infused with egregious Jew-hatred....
This is just horrific. If it were any other group of people besides Jews, people would be outraged. This is antisemitism at its worst.
It is a painful topic to write about and I commend the author.
This subject is not easy to talk about and I can see that as a reason for some people, organizations to avoid speaking about it .
I am wondering aloud what is there I can do? Reading and seeing video of these atrocities, rapes against women, little girls, children is what pains me the most. I think there are still a lot of people that do not know these details.
It is easy to help in donating funds, providing medical aid, providing supplies but how to help the victims of these violations that are now deceased and those that are alive,?
Second thing, is it too late to prosecute Hamas or bring to attention before a world court? Statue of limitations of there is one has not expired. Is there too little evidence ?
The world court will not care. They will blame the women for being “dressed in a way that enticed the men into uncontrollable action”. When donating money: please know what the group really stands for and exactly how much is really going to the cause
I want to know how I can spread this message to the wider world. I feel all my posts are seen and appreciated by my tribe. A handful of my non Jewish friends have responded. Most do not. How do we share these vital messages to try to educate and make changes. Aish reaches out to our Jewish world. Who else gets to benefit by thse incredible articles and be moved by them.
Of all the stances taken by identity politics, those associated with “post-colonialism” are arguably the most hypocritical. This is clearly seen in the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Feminists support a regime where women have a lower status in society, gays defend a culture where homosexuality carries the death penalty, and university students who condemn the West as “undemocratic” admire barbaric and autocratic Hamas.
For all who have been dormant, this is a wake-up call. It is time to act, bring unity and restore morality. We need to reclaim Western Civilization values.
These groups are beyond education. What is happening worldwide calls for mass deliverance from the demonic.We are in the end times when demonic powers are rising. Messiah is coming and they know it. Spiritual fortification is needed by the righteous.
This is such an important subject, thank you so much for writing about this topic.
I could write several paragraphs. Several years ago Ayaan Hirsi Ali at the web site for Prager U
had a 5 minute video on this subject. And on the parallels between the Far Left and fundamentalist Islam
https://www.prageru.com/video/what-radical-islam-and-the-woke-have-in-common
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJkFQohIKNI
Dr. Miller continues to educate us with her most insightful and penetrating writings. This article is particularly a standout. She demonstrates most lucidly how so much of the world ignores reality while shedding copious tears for the wicked. He who is kind to the cruel will be cruel to the kind. (Torah teaching) Hamas and their associates must be totally destroyed; there is no moral ground for "negotiations". Steven Finer
Part of our problem - lies with our leadership. Who in the past - chose to keep Israel - in a low profile - diminish the news of these kinds of atrocities - committed by our enemies - hoping that if we diminish - take little or no response - and show our humbleness - this will all FADE AWAY - and we'll be left alone - at least for a while. All this attitude has done - is embolden our enemies - that yes we are guilty - and we should be punished again and again. We should tolerate that - we are being shown that we are low life vermin - and should pay for our sin of existing - and be eradicated. We need to be like our Torah forefathers - repent - pray and ask G-D to help - and take appropriate action - with HIS HELP!
We also need to start an aggressive world wide teaching program - WHY we EXIST. And- that will show that - about 4000 years ago - G-D gave Abraham and his descendants - the WHOLE LAND OF CANAAN - From the Euphrates River to the Nile - Forever. G-D said He would bless those who bless us - and curse those who curse us. And in the Written Torah G-D gave us 3500 years ago. G-D - gave us His Commandments and Laws to follow - FOREVER - so that - He can bless us - IF - IF we KEEP - His Written Commandments. And for us the Jewish - Convert Nation - we need to also REVIEW - what PUNISHMENT - G-D will afflict us with - if we don't.
Ms published an article acknowledging the horrendous attack and rapes written November 2, in response to the question of where are the feminists? Who Pays the Price for Men’s Wars?" Apparently they acknowledge both sides, which is fine. But why did it take almost a month and a biased piece focusing on women in Gaza to even acknowledge the unfathomable horrors of the Hamas terrorist slaughter? https://msmagazine.com/2023/11/02/israel-gaza-men-violence-women/
Why are these articles not in the broader press? Many people supporting hamas/Gaza have no idea of the truth. I thought i had a vivid imagination but i had little idea of how far these atrocities went till I read this article.Most people cannot imagine such putrid evil.
"Ladies Love Outlaws."
The country song reveals the deep truth that people instinctively admire raw, brutish power:
Consider a female lion who has a male and cubs, when a stronger male intrudes to slaughter the father AND babies. The female will sometimes mate with this brute! (In fairness, her options are limited.)
I've met women who marry prisoners.
500 western women became "Ladies of ISIS"
Moral sense must subdue instinct for goodness to survive.
Thank you for your eloquent and painful article. Barbarism of this sort was carried out by the Ottoman empire in Bulgaria and Romania. One would think that atrocities of this sort belonged to another era of human history, but we have them right here in 2023. I am very distressed that the Jewish people have endured yet another pogrom and that these atrocities are met with indifference and contempt in many parts of the world.
It's the bubbling up of the poisonous antisemitism that has always existed just below the surface of gentility. Can this hatred ever be eradicated? If so, how?
Yes!! None of this is new. As Jeff Jacoby said a few weeks ago on aish, it is merely old poison in a new vial!! Re: Ms. Magazine. Sigh. For a long time I have been very annoyed with what I see as a snub of Jewish women. I am looking at you, Letty Cottin Pogrebin. You should know and do better!
This is all part of the larger war between civilization and barbarism. These people are showing us whose side they are on.
"From the river to the sea, Israel must be SAFE!"
I am not sure why everyone is so surprised at the Hamas support. Very simple, it's because Jews are involved. It would be the exact opposite if 46,000 Americans were murdered, raped and mutilated (the ratio between Israel population to the US is 36x).
It would be very different if it was 10,000 UK citizens or any other Christian nation.
But it's just Jews, they ought to be used to it by now, now? What is the big deal.
(Sarcasm to those who missed it)
The twisted indoctrination in universities is alarming. The results are demonstrated in narrow mindedness and ignorance throughout these organizations.
The only way to resolve this issue is to stop funding said unversities.
They are cowards, they have no problem marching in support of killing defendless babies while still developing inside their mothers womb, like we ALL did at one point . God bless my mom for protecting me and give me a chance for 9 months to develop. These women are not human beings, they are demonic. Rape, torture of old and children, even man , doesn't matter wring is wrong. Worlds war 2 the allies helped free Europe from Germany , they bombed it and yes many died, but one has the right to defend itself against evil amd that's whT this group is demons , savages and until you experienced font talk . Educate yourself on facts. The same terrorists that took down 2 towers over 3000 people died , we had the right to retaliate against these monsters. Like any other country in history has
Not cowards, just pure barbaric nazis whose goal - stated by them openly - is the total annihilation of the Jewish People. Each and every one must be killed and in the most brutal manner possible, just as they did to us!!
GREAT piece!
These so-called women are brain dead. Perhaps they should be shown the pictures
of October 7th in full. I have no respect whatsoever for these lame brain women. Or maybe I should wish them the same actual experience! This is hate at its best! Supporting Hamas is inexcusable (this includes the stupid men). My anger for them is overflowing.
Because there are women with an inferiority complex, who really do hate themselves and feel they deserve to be treated badly after the incident with a certain snake in the garden of Eden.
Next question.
About those honor related crimes/oppression. A member of the Swedish parliament was shunned by her own party (far left, used to have "Communist" in their party name) because she campaigned against the honor oppression. She was born in Iran (Kurdish parts) so nobody could accuse her of being racist (tough for her political party).
Her previous political party tries to carry the banner of feminism (and of course they are pro-Palestinian and anti Israel)
When any evil is perpetrated by any non-Jew it will by default be blamed on the Jews. It's called Jew hatred without reason.
So when Jews get slaughtered they need to sit at home and lick their wounds until the next slaughtering.
The same were mum when after 9/11 the US bombarded Middle Eastern countries killing 10's of thousands for over a decade because 3000 Americans were slaughtered.
Not much hypocrisy to see hear!!!!!!!!
Absolutely right on!! The herd of elephants in the room is why Gazan women are doomed to a lifetime of "hostage" from birth in their own society.
BTY some of those elephants concern the question Why are those Jews fighting back and not relegated to being in the corner and persecuted and slaughtered over history.?
Deafening silence, from everywhere, when 300,000 Syrian civilians killed by Assad forces and millions displaced.
Also. Perhaps because Israel couldn’t be blamed?
I commented to my husband when I initially heard about rape being used as a form of terrorism, and I told him no question, we will never hear of an Israeli soldier raping any Palestinians. Furthermore, there is a group, I think it's called Yad Lachaim, whose purpose is to rescue Jewish women who have been lured into "marrying" Palestinian men and then become captives.
I think the organization you are referencing is "Yad L'Achim."
I am sickened, appalled, disgusted (no words are enough ) to read about the horrific treatment of the women. I was out of the country in Africa and was completely disconnected from news and social media while I was there. Since I have been back, I have been glued to CNN. Is my news source I never heard anything about these horrific rapes, etc. when speaking with family and friends, these atrocities or not discussed.
I am not sure the women’s groups even know that these types of torturous behaviors were happening.
Before asking why the women’s groups are supporting Hamas It is necessary to ensure they have the correct information.
Since none of these things were shown on regular media, etc. I maybe they don’t know.
Please send verified information to all these organizations listed.
They know. They hate Jews more than the “love” women.
Unfortunate and disgusting truth. They only hate Jews. Sick hypocrites who have no moral compass and no credibility, much like the UN. Have to keep speaking the Truth about Israel no matter how many hypocrites come at you with their seething antisemitism. The abhorrent rewrite of history in the Middle East, specifically regarding Israel, will ultimately fail and Truth will prevail. I sincerely believe that. G-d says so in the Torah.
CNN, etc. do not give you the "real news" of anything Jewish nor Israeli. Best to look at the Israel news reports. Sad to say, Unfortunately, our own uniformed Jews are also ignorant. Do they have to experience this hatred themselves in order to understand? Shame on all of them. These are Jews in name only.
CNN is a propaganda not news organisation.
Now that you've see the anti-semitism of the Left, it's best to avoid them from now on.
How do we reach these feminists here in America who should be in the forefront deploring the rape and mutilation of specifically women?
You'd be talking to self-inflicted deaf ears & blind eyes because their hatred (of Jews in this case) does that to people.
Many will insist they're not anti-Semitic, which may be so, but they're brainless leftists in any case -- so "open-minded" that their minds have fallen out and they're thus incapable of an honest thought!
The only thing we can do is tell the truth and hope the facts penetrate into the minds and hearts of people who are still human.
It is a conflict of interests. They are feminists and fight for womens rights. This often goes hand in hand with being on the left side of the political spectrum. People on the left are against capitalism, western imperialism et.c. The US, the largest western capitalist state, has been supporting Israel (as have many other capitalist countries). The sum of all this is that the feminst movement, due to their politcal leanings, are "forced" to oppose Israel and therefore they "must" support Hamas even though Hamas is the enemy of feminism. There is a Russian saying: My enemys enemy is my friend.
A central idea in all the hatred against Jews is that all Jews are rich capitalists who exploit the poor. People on the left must therefore hate Jews.
Karl Marx was Jewish .....
That’s what’s totally mind-boggling: these supposed feminists are supporting a group who would deprive them of all the rights/benefits/opportunities they now have as women in a liberal society. Are they really so blinded by hatred that they can’t see the contradiction? Or do they simply, arrogantly assume they are immune?
There is an organization called JOFA, which stands for Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance. It will give you a glimmer of hope.
Google JOFA. It will give you some hope. Also, we need to continue to stay informed by REPUTABLE news sources. I do not always agree with everything I have read on aish, although I agree with this piece 100%. I have emailed aish contributors to tell them I always respect their work, even if I do not agree with everything they wrote.
Unfortunately you are preaching to the choir. This needs to be out there for the general public to read.
Good day. If this is confirmed, we should inform the whole world with this barbaric act of hamas/isis. I observed those who attended the mobilization, especially women's group do not know this. More women power!
For confirmation, see the videos Hamas posted on 07 October 2023. Most should still be accessible.
Don't be too pessimistic, Dr. Miller. I hear Linda Sarsour is catering a Tupperware party for the ladies in Boro Park.
Sarcasm is totally out of place here!