White House concerned by reports of sexual violence against women: Assistant to the President and Director of the Gender Policy Council, Jennifer Klein, along with senior officials
US Vice President on Sexual Assaults on October 7: 'Rape cannot be used as a weapon'
Others from the Gender Policy Council and the National Security Council met Wednesday night with Dr. Kochav Elkayam-Levy, chairman of the Civil Commission in Israel, on October 7. On the agenda: Hamas serious crimes against women and children.
The amazing White House senior staff on gender equality gave us so much hope. What a remarkable group of women.
Thank you for your leadership at this crucial moment in history.
We will NOT stand by to see the destruction of everything we as women, as human rights advocates,... pic.twitter.com/wB4iZzJBlY
— Cochav Elkayam-Levy (@CochavElkayam) December 7, 2023
From the first days of the war, the Biden administration has expressed great concern over the horrific reports of sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas against Israeli women and children during the October 7 attacks. As President Biden reiterated, the world cannot look away from the reports of survivors and witnesses detailing the brutality of that day.
During the meeting, Dr. Elkayam-Levy spoke about her work in gathering testimonies and documenting testimonies about the events of October 7 and developing a comprehensive report on gender-based violence perpetrated by Hamas. The group discussed the necessity of unequivocally condemning sexual violence, and the need for a broad commitment throughout the international community to hold perpetrators accountable and support survivors.
We've seen horrific reports of sexual assault by Hamas on October 7th. It is reprehensible and must be condemned.
Rape can never be used as a weapon of war. I've spent my career protecting women and girls from heinous crimes of sexual violence and will continue to do so.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) December 7, 2023
Kamala Harris tweeted on her X account (formerly Twitter): "We saw horrific reports of sexual assault by Hamas on October 7. This is reprehensible and should be condemned. Rape can never be used as a weapon of war. Throughout my career, I have worked to protect women and girls from heinous crimes of sexual violence and will continue to do so."
Director Klein reiterated the president's commitment to use all financial, diplomatic, and legal tools to address sexual violence in the conflict, and the administration's ongoing efforts to secure the release of women and girls who continue to be held hostage by Hamas.
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