Hear Their Voices: Sexual Violence on October 7

When Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on October 7, they raped, tortured, and mutilated women’s bodies in unimaginable ways. News about the sexual violence emerged within days, but few women’s organizations spoke up to condemn it. Some even questioned whether the claims were true. In this episode of Can We Talk?, we discuss the sexual violence of October 7, the effort to collect evidence, and the international response—or lack thereof. We speak with Hadas Ziv, who co-authored a Physicians for Human Rights Israel paper on the crimes, and Sheila Katz, CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women, one of the sponsors of a recent event at the United Nations aimed at calling attention to the sexual assaults. We’ll also hear excerpts of testimonies given at the UN by people who saw evidence of sexual violence on the bodies of women killed by Hamas.

Please note, this episode contains graphic descriptions of sexual violence.

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Released December 12, 2023

Artwork by Zoya Cherkassky. Courtesy of the artist.
Hadas Ziv of Physicians for Human Rights Israel.
Sheila Katz, CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women, speaks about sexual violence on October 7 at a UN session on December 4, 2023. Credit: Perry Bindelglass.
Yael Richert, a chief superintendent in the Israel Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit, gives testimony about the sexual violence on October 7 at a UN session on December 4, 2023. Credit: Perry Bindelglass.
Shari Mendes, an army reservist, gives testimony about the sexual violence on October 7 at a UN session on December 4, 2023.
Simcha Greinman, a deputy commander in Zaka, an Israeli search and rescue organization, gives testimony about sexual violence on October 7 at a UN session on December 4, 2023. Credit: Perry Bindelglass.
Cartoon by Guy Morad. Courtesy of the artist.