RESOLUTION – European recognition of sexual violence against Israeli women during the Israel-Hamas war

Preamble:

On October 7th, Hamas perpetrated the biggest pogrom of Jews since the end of the Shoah. More than 1100 Israelis have been murdered, and more than 200 have been kidnapped and taken hostage into the Gaza Strip. Sexual violence against Israeli Women on October 7th has been used by Hamas terrorists as a weapon of war. Hamas has systematically filmed footage of several acts of sexual abuse of Israeli women and has made this public in an act of psycho-terror.

Sexual violence on October 7th and of that being perpetrated on Israeli hostages in Gaza since then need to be acknowledged and the perpetrators must be brought to justice.

EUJS notes that:

1. Israeli women were victims of sexual violence by Hamas terrorists on October 7th.
2. Video proof of these acts has been shared live on social media.
3. There are witness accounts of sexual abuse against Israeli hostages in Gaza.
4. Hamas has used sexual violence and rape as weapons of war, which is deemed by the Roma Statute of 2002 as a “crime against humanity”.
5. The sexual violence against Israeli women on October 7th hasn’t been recognised by many feminist organisations and large parts of the international community.
6. Many feminist organisations are lacking solidarity with Israeli victims of sexual violence.
7. The acts committed by Hamas served as an example and inspiration for acts of sexual violence against Jewish women in the Diaspora, such as the rape of a 12-year-old Jewish girl in the French city of Courbevoire in June 2024.

EUJS believes that:

1. The recognition of acts of sexual violence committed by Hamas against Israeli women on October 7th and since then must be a common value among feminists and allies throughout Europe.
2. Rape and other acts of sexual violence must never be acknowledged as an act of resistance.
3. Not reacting and/or not condemning rape or other acts of sexual violence, because the victim is Jewish, is antisemitic.

EUJS resolves to:

1. Call on European organisations to acknowledge and condemn the acts of sexual violence committed by Hamas against Israeli women on the October 7th and Israeli hostages in Gaza.
2. Work tirelessly to educate on sexual violence against Israeli women on October 7th and Israeli hostages, committed by Hamas terrorists.
3. Work tirelessly for the recognition of these acts as crimes against humanity.
4. Critically engage with organisations that denied the sexual violence committed against Israeli women on October 7th and since then, committed by Hamas terrorists.