New York, NY - Over 100 days since Hamas’s ambush on Israel resulting in the death of over 1,200 Israelis, survivors continue to suffer from its aftermath. Women of Reform Judaism, the women’s affiliate to the largest Jewish denomination in North America, released the following statement in support of the recently introduced resolution in Congress to officially condemn the rape and sexual violence committed by Hamas on and since October 7.
WRJ Executive Director Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch welcomed the resolution, sharing:
“It was clear from the early days since Hamas’s attack on Israel that Hamas fighters weaponized violence against women to inflict physical and psychological trauma. Sexual and gender-based violence must never be a tactic of war.
“In line with our legacy, Women of Reform Judaism believes Israeli women. We believed them from the start of the war, and we continue to believe them. It is our obligation to continue to speak out against these atrocities until survivors and their families have received justice. We will not be silent.
“We thank Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL) and the other bipartisan co-sponsors of the resolution and echo their call to our world partners to hold Hamas accountable for these heinous actions.”
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Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) is a network of Jewish women working together to empower women and communities worldwide through the bonds of sisterhood, spirituality, and social justice. WRJ, founded in 1913, is the women’s affiliate of the Union for Reform Judaism, the central body of Reform Judaism in North America. For more information about WRJ, please visit our website at www.wrj.org.