International Recognition of Hamas' Sexual Crimes: It's Time for Prosecution by the United Nations
The United Nations has made a significant move in its decision to place Hamas on the blacklist of armed groups responsible for systematic rape and sexual violence in conflict. This turning point was reinforced by voices from civil society, including Sheryl Sandberg and Michal Herzog.
The international community can and should respond accordingly to sexual violence as a weapon of terror. The recognition of the sexual crimes committed by Hamas on and after 7 October is a direct rebuke to those who tried to deny, minimize, or obscure these atrocities.
Many of the victims of these sexual crimes were civilians from multiple countries, implying shared responsibility. Accountability is needed not only of the perpetrators on the ground, but also of those who planned, incited, financed, and celebrated the sexual violence.
Hamas's leadership is not only in Gaza or Israeli prisons; it extends to Doha and other capitals. For years, the government of Qatar has hosted and supported the leadership of Hamas in its capital Doha, providing them political asylum and financial support. This support has led to Israeli attacks targeting Hamas figures in Doha, with Saudi Arabia also expressing solidarity with Qatar, indirectly supporting Hamas by condemning Israeli military actions against them in Doha.
The next step is prosecution and compensation for those who suffered most. Justice mechanisms combining local and international prosecutors are needed to hold Hamas leaders and their enablers accountable beyond Israel's borders. Dr Cochav Elkayam-Levy, the founder and chair of the Civil Commission on 7 October Crimes by Hamas against Women and Children, teaches at Reichman University and is a Senior Fellow at the Hartmann Institute. She was awarded the 2024 Israel Prize in Solidarity.
The fight now shifts to justice, with Israel and the international community being judged by their actions in prosecuting Hamas and creating mechanisms for joint accountability. The voices of those who suffered from the sexual crimes committed by Hamas must lead the fight for a world where women's lives truly matter. The suffering of these victims should not be in vain, and their courage should help build a safer world for women everywhere.
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