Believe Israeli Women: How to Advocate for Victims of Hamas' Sexual Violence

·24 min·2 clips

The report details Hamas binding victims, mutilating genitalia, and inserting weapons—acts so horrific many avoid saying them aloud.

Host Manya Brachear Pashman introduces the episode by noting the Israeli Association of Rape Crisis Centers' report to the UN on Hamas's sexual violence and a recent U.S. House resolution. Guest Julie Fishman-Raymond explains the resolution's origins from female Congress members responding to global silence, aiming to affirm belief in Israeli women. She outlines the resolution's key points: condemning rape as a weapon of war, calling for international accountability, supporting investigations, and aiding survivors. Julie describes the Israeli report's disturbing details, including genital mutilation and weapon insertion, emphasizing the need to vocalize uncomfortable truths. The discussion broadens to note that sexual violence targeted not just women but also men and children, with reports of abuse against male hostages. Julie updates on the Senate resolution's progress, citing sponsors like Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Kirsten Gillibrand. She highlights advocacy by hostage families, such as Yorden Gonan advocating for her sister Romy, and mentions AJC's efforts in Berlin regarding Shani Look. Julie identifies congressional champions, including Representatives Kathy Manning and Lois Frankel, and notes Senator John Fetterman's office tracking hostages. She addresses Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib's abstention, attributing it to whataboutism regarding Palestinian victims. The conversation covers AJC's broader advocacy for foreign aid to Israel and Ukraine, and plans to bring witnesses to Washington, including Zaka team members and a Nova Festival survivor. Julie concludes by questioning why Israeli women aren't believed, citing lack of evidence but emphasizing credible accounts, and directs listeners to AJC's action alert.

As heard by us

A measured look at the resolution, the hostage crisis, and the burden placed on Israeli women seeking belief.

People of the Pod frames a bipartisan House resolution around a direct demand: that Israeli women's accounts of Hamas' sexual violence be believed.

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Want to understand how a bipartisan House resolution became a public demand to believe Israeli women?

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