Wasserman Schultz, Manning Lead Congress Members in Condemning Hamas Gender-Based Violence After Long-Overdue UN Report Finds ‘Clear and Convincing’ Evidence It Took Place

We condemn the rape, sexual mutilation, and gender-based violence employed by Hamas terrorists on October 7th against innocent people in Israel and the continued threat against the remaining hostages in Gaza.

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Kathy Manning (D-NC) were joined by fellow Jewish Members of Congress, including Reps. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Becca Balint (D-VT), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Daniel Goldman (D-NY), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Greg Landsman (D-OH), Mike Levin (D-CA), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), Max Miller (R-OH), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Dean Phillips (D-MN), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Kim Schrier (D-WA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Susan Wild (D-PA), in issuing the following statement with respect to the United Nations’ report on its investigation that confirmed there was sexual violence committed by Hamas on October 7th, 2023:

“We condemn the rape, sexual mutilation, and gender-based violence employed by Hamas terrorists on October 7th against innocent people in Israel and the continued threat against the remaining hostages in Gaza.

“The welcome conclusions of the long-overdue report from the UN’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, which found ‘clear and convincing’ evidence of Hamas’ sexual violence, should finally end the deafening silence and outright denial, in too many quarters, of Hamas’ use of rape as a weapon of war and its crimes against humanity. It is disgraceful that so many international organizations ostensibly dedicated to the rights of women refused for months to even acknowledge these crimes.

“Sexual violence should never be condoned or weaponized as a tool of war and victims should never be blamed for violence committed against them. We are appalled that it took the United Nations nearly five months to believe evidence that includes graphic, horrifying photographs and videos taken immediately after the attack and statements from released hostages, eyewitnesses, first responders, law enforcement, and trauma experts.

“This reluctance to acknowledge the truth was deeply disappointing. As Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt said, ‘This apparent reluctance to believe the accounts of Jewish women…mimics patterns of Holocaust denial, perpetuating a cycle of antisemitism by furthering the stereotype of Jews as untrustworthy.’

“We are proud that the U.S. House of Representatives stood in support of H.Res.966, Condemning rape and sexual violence committed by Hamas in its war against Israel, led by Rep. Lois Frankel, and that women Members of Congress joined together at a forum organized by Rep. Wasserman Schultz to bring further attention to Hamas’ use of rape as a weapon of war.

“We reject any attempts to justify, rationalize, or ‘place in proper context’ the crimes committed by Hamas against Israeli women and girls. We will continue speaking out for Israeli women who have been victimized by Hamas and all remaining hostages, including American citizens, who remain threatened by sexual violence.”

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