I Believe Israeli Women Mission Update: A day of bearing witness in Israel
Click here to receive updates from I Believe Israeli Women in your inbox
May 22, 2024
Today was an emotional day for our delegation here in Israel.
It was hot and dusty as we traversed the Gaza periphery, bearing witness to the devastation terrorists caused at Kibbutz Alumim, Kfar Aza, and at the Nova music festival.
We spoke with two women who survived the Nova music festival and learned from a man who rescued his friends and neighbors under heavy gunfire. We listened to the testimony of a first responder who documented gender-based violence committed against Israeli women and men, and spent time with a former hostage who herself survived sexual violence while in Hamas captivity.
After all of our meetings, there was one clear through line: The people of Israel are relying on us not only to bear witness, but to spread the truth.
We must continue the work of showing the world what happened on and after Oct. 7, of showing the humanity of all Israelis, of standing against sexual violence, and of ensuring that the world never forget.
Click here to subscribe to updates from I Believe Israeli Women
The Screams She Heard for Hours
The Nova Festival site has been turned into a memorial to those killed and captured. (Photo by Yael Ilan)
Speaking alongside the burned carcasses of hundreds of cars, Tali Binner, a surgical nurse who survived the Nova music festival by hiding with seven of her friends, recounted in detail the horrors she has experienced — not only on the day she survived, but when she tried to tell the truth on college campuses.
When she went to the UCLA campus with a sign that said, “I’m a Nova survivor, please talk to me,” she was harassed and abused.
These days, though still too traumatized to return to work, she is back to making music — and to dancing. But don’t define her as a survivor — doing so makes her feel “doomed for life.”
“I have to be here; you don’t have to be here,” she told us with gratitude.
“We’re dancing,” she reminded all of us. “You need to dance with us, too.”
Tali is speaking out on behalf of all those who cannot. She is sharing what she witnessed at the scene of the attack. And we must speak out about what happened, too.
• Read Tali’s story in the Times of Israel
• Follow Tali on Instagram
Holding Space for Survivors
Amit Soussana lived in and was taken hostage from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, seen above. (Photo by Yael Ilan)
Amit Soussana survived sexual assault and other abuses while in Hamas captivity. These days, she is not taking anything for granted.
Sitting together in Tel Aviv, she shared her determination to tell the truth about what happened if she survived, and how, for months, she never even saw the moonlight.
She’s not sure when she’ll be able to return to work, or to her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. She’s been reunited with two of her three cats, who are fatter than ever.
We told Amit and her mother about the thousands of you who are standing with us to proclaim “I Believe Israeli Women.” It was an emotional moment for all of us. And her determination to share what Hamas did to her in Gaza compels all of us act.
• Read Amit’s story in the New York Times
• Read about the denial that survivors face in the Forward
We’re building a global movement
I Believe Israeli Women is building a global movement to stand with Israeli men, women and children in this critical moment.
We’ll continue to meet with experts and survivors, working to ensure the world never forgets the truth of what happened on Oct. 7 — and what is happening to the hostages — and share concrete steps we must take to support Israelis and fight disinformation.