NEW YORK — As the world marks one year since the murder of 1,200 Israelis by Hamas terrorists, the largest attack on Jews since the Holocaust, Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch, CEO of Women of Reform Judaism, released the following statement:
“Since the earliest days following Hamas’s terrorist attack on Israel, Women of Reform Judaism has spoken out against the weaponization of violence against women. Sexual and gender-based violence must never be a tactic of war.
“For 365 days, the images of grandmothers being kidnapped and young women being raped and dragged through the streets remain imprinted our minds, yet so around the world still turn away from this violence.
“As reports continue to surface regarding the heinous sexual assault and murder of victims from the initial attack, we look to our feminist legacy and know it is our duty to not be silent until there is an end to this cruel violence against women. What’s more, we draw attention to the immediate need to prioritize a hostage deal and bring those still at risk of physical, mental, and emotional harm safely home.
“24-year-old hostage Eden Yerushalmi weighed a mere 79 pounds when IDF troops recovered her body after she was executed. We speak out for Eden and all who suffered, and who continue to endure this nightmare.
“What makes this pain even worse are the countless organizations, representative bodies, and previous partners devoted to human rights that have ignored, justified, or even praised the violence of October 7. The attacks alone are inexcusable; celebrating them is reprehensible. As we know too well, endemic even in times of peace, the risk of violence against women only increases during armed conflict. As hostages remain in captivity and ceasefire talks stay dormant, this suffering will only continue.
“Women of Reform Judaism remains steadfast in support of survivors and victims of this violence. We call on the international community to denounce sexual violence against Israelis, demand the immediate release of the hostages, and call for a ceasefire so that both Israelis and Palestinians take one step closer toward peace.
“All people — Israelis, Palestinians, Jews, and Arabs alike — deserve to live in safety and peace. We remain steadfast in our obligation to speak out against these atrocities until survivors have received justice and hostages are safely home. We will not be silent.”