Opinion: Documenting sexual violence isn't about taking sides between Israel and Palestine [View all]
As a ceasefire and hostage release in the Middle East remains elusive, the United Nations Special Envoy on Sexual Violence in Conflict reported last week that there is “clear and convincing” evidence that Israeli hostages have been subjected to rape and sexualized torture. The report also confirmed that there are “reasonable grounds” to believe that rape and sexual violence occurred during Hamas’s brutal attack on Oct. 7, including but not limited to the Nova music festival grounds.
The report is not a full U.N. investigation, but it is significant as the first extensive report by an external independent body on the use of rape and sexual violence since Oct. 7. Its publication is crucial for focusing attention on an aspect of the conflict that has been slow to come to light — and which risks continuing while hostages remain in captivity.
Detailed reports of widespread sexual violence emerged shortly after the Hamas attacks, but further investigation and verification has taken months. Israeli leaders criticized the U.N.’s initial silence on the issue, though Israel has been reluctant to allow a full U.N. investigation. The report team also noted the range of challenges in verifying claims, including lack of access, lack of trust from survivors and witnesses, and lack of forensic evidence.
At the same time, an unfortunate discourse of “rape denialism” has emerged in some pro-Palestinian circles, based in part on Hamas’s own rejection of the accusations. Some Palestinian sympathizers have questioned the rape allegations or blamed them on pro-Israel Western media biases.
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Seems like a no-brainer, but y'know, (((reasons))).