17 female observers were murdered and seven were kidnapped in the October 7 disaster. "Don't count the warning of the female observers," has been said over and over again.
The path from personal to professional contempt was very short, writes Yossi Ben-Ghiat. A fundamental and comprehensive change is needed in the attitude of the army to female observers, he says. "I have no doubt today that there is a clear connection between abusive treatment in working conditions and belittling behavior and professional disdain," Ben- Ghiat says.