WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) have joined a group of senators in expressing their disappointment with the United Nations' (UN) response to Hamas's sexual violence against women in Israel. In a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the senators called for an independent investigation into Hamas's acts of sexual violence and held the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women accountable for its failure to immediately denounce Hamas's atrocities.
The senators, including Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and many others, condemned the inaction of the UN in addressing the widespread sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas. They highlighted the use of rape and sexual assault as weapons of war during the terrorist attack in Israel on October 7, 2023.
According to the senators' letter, there is a growing body of evidence, including survivor testimonies, witness accounts, and reports from first responders, that substantiate the claim that Hamas intentionally used sexual violence as part of their terrorist attack, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 men, women, and children.
The senators expressed their shock at the delayed response from UN Women, the organization dedicated to ending gender-based violence, which took nearly two months to speak out against these atrocities. They stressed the need for unequivocal condemnation of sexual violence, particularly on such a large scale and with such brutality.
In their letter, the senators called for the establishment of an independent fact-finding effort to collect testimonies from survivors and witnesses of Hamas's sexual violence. They emphasized that an independent investigation is crucial to holding the perpetrators accountable, supporting survivors, and providing justice for the victims.
The full text of the letter can be found [here](link).
This condemnation from Senators Risch, Crapo, and their colleagues highlights the urgent need for the UN to address Hamas's sexual violence against women in Israel. It underscores the importance of swift action in investigating these atrocities and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.
For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.foreign.senate.gov/press/rep/release/risch-crapo-join-colleagues-in-condemning-un-inaction-on-hamass-sexual-violence-against-women
