Jewish Women International has always stood with our sisters in Israel. Since Oct. 7, 2023, the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust, the urgency of this work has become clear.

Through our I Believe Israeli Women initiative, we have partnered with the Seed the Dream Foundation to support Israeli survivors of gender-based and conflict-related sexual violence and their families, and to support those who are facing denial and disinformation about what happened to them on and after Oct. 7.

Below, you’ll find additional resources and information about our work.

JWI Thought Leadership: OpEds, Speeches, and More

Congressional Appearances

Gender-Based Violence Against Israeli Hostages in Gaza

Feb. 14, 2024

JWI CEO Meredith Jacobs spoke at an event to raise awareness of the sexual and gender-based violence perpetrated against women and children held hostage by Hamas since Oct. 7.

(Intro to Meredith’s speech begins at 1:17:00)

Women, Peace and Security Policy Responses to Confict-Related Sexual Violence Globally

Feb. 23, 2024

JWI Senior Director Laura E. Adkins spoke at a Hill briefing on responses to CRSV, placing what happened to Israelis on Oct. 7 into an international context.

Articles and Op-Eds

CNN

“After my grandmother’s ordeal in the Holocaust, I have to speak out against sexual violence by Hamas on October 7”

by Alexi Ashe Meyers, I Believe Israeli Women delegate, on Dec. 11, 2023

the Forward

“The women’s movement has a double standard when sexual violence happens to Jews”

by Meredith Jacobs on Nov. 27, 2023

“Israeli women who spoke out about sex abuse in Gaza are being mocked online. This denial hurts survivors everywhere”

by Laura E. Adkins on March 29, 2024

Newsweek

“Hamas Is Responsible for Rape in Israel—and in Gaza”

by Ayelet Razin Bet Or, I Believe Israeli Women partner, on July 18, 2024

JWI Statements and Position Papers

• Statement Submitted to the Sixty-Ninth Session of the Commotion on the Status of Women  (November 11, 2024)

• Statement on the bodies of Israeli hostages found in Gaza (May 17, 2024)

• Statement on survivor Amit Soussana’s testimony (March 26, 2024)

• Response to the March 2024 U.N. Sexual Violence Report (March 4, 2024)

For additional resources, op-eds, and reporting on the sexual violence committed by Hamas on and after Oct. 7, see the I Believe Israeli Women resources page

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