In a compelling appeal at the United Nations, Israel's Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, urged the UN Security Council to take a decisive stand against Hamas by officially designating it as a terrorist organization and imposing substantial sanctions. This call to action comes in the wake of a horrific series of events that have not only shaken Israel but also raised significant concerns about the use of sexual violence in conflicts. currently, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, Paraguay, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union all classify Hamas as a terror group.
During a critical meeting of the 15-member Security Council, convened by the United States, France, and Britain to discuss the grave issue of sexual violence in conflicts, Katz leveraged the platform to highlight the atrocities committed by Hamas. This included shocking findings from a report by Pramila Patten, the UN's special representative on sexual violence in conflict, which provided "clear and convincing information" that Hamas engaged in acts of sexual violence, including rape, during the terror attacks on October 7 and the rapes are . These attacks led to the tragic loss of at least 1,200 lives, with some victims subjected to sexual violence before their deaths.
Pramila Patten, UN Official on sexual violence: “What I witnessed in #Israel were scenes of unspeakable violence, perpetrated with shocking brutality, resulting in intense human suffering.”
— The Persian Jewess (@persianjewess) March 11, 2024
Hamas are monsters and so are the people who support them. #StandWithIsrael pic.twitter.com/tdxmvRQB20
The foreign minister's address underscored the urgent need for international intervention to save the lives of 134 hostages still held captive by Hamas and other militant groups. By advocating for the Security Council's action, Katz emphasized the potential for the UN to serve as a beacon of hope and justice worldwide.
🔴Enviada especial ONU para la violencia sexual, Patten: encontrada "información clara y convincente sobre violencia sexual, incluidas violaciones, torturas sexualizadas y tratos crueles, inhumanos y degradantes" de #Hamas contra rehenes #israel|íes. pic.twitter.com/o9gJNbaTf8
— (((MarcoCSermoneta)))🇮🇱 (@MarcoCSermoneta) March 4, 2024
However, Katz's appearance at the UN was also marked by a vocal critique of the organization's perceived silence on Hamas's actions. Despite individual condemnations from most council members and high-ranking UN officials, Katz expressed frustration over the lack of a formal condemnation from the Security Council itself. This criticism extended to a poignant letter addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in which Katz accused the UN of becoming a hub of antisemitism and anti-Israel bias under Guterres's leadership.
Pramila Patten, UN Official on sexual violence: “What I witnessed in #Israel were scenes of unspeakable violence, perpetrated with shocking brutality, resulting in intense human suffering.”
— The Persian Jewess (@persianjewess) March 11, 2024
Hamas are monsters and so are the people who support them. #StandWithIsrael pic.twitter.com/tdxmvRQB20
The controversy surrounding the UN's response to the issue was further fueled by Israeli officials' preemptive criticism of the UN for allegedly attempting to suppress Patten's findings—a claim that Patten firmly denied, asserting her full support from the secretary-general.
Patten's report also shed light on the alleged sexual violence against Palestinians in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, detailing allegations of invasive searches, beatings, and threats of rape. This aspect of her findings underscores the complex and multifaceted nature of conflict-related sexual violence, affecting both Israelis and Palestinians.
UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten found there was substantial evidence that victims, as well as hostages & survivors of Oct 7, were sexually abused & raped by Hamas terrorists #HamasRapists https://t.co/03z0amOjN3
— MOT (@nachal_giyus86) March 5, 2024
The Palestinian envoy's call for unbiased attention from the Security Council to reports of abuses against Palestinians further emphasizes the need for a balanced and comprehensive approach to addressing the myriad human rights violations occurring in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Katz's demand for the Security Council to designate Hamas as a terrorist organization represents a critical moment in the ongoing struggle to combat terrorism and uphold human rights. It reflects a broader plea for international solidarity and action against groups that perpetrate violence and terror, underscoring the importance of a unified global stance in the face of atrocities that challenge the very foundation of humanity.
