UN, Progressives Accused of Downplaying Hamas Rapes
Summary from the AllSides News Team
In light of new evidence of Hamas’ use of rape on October 7, some have criticized the United Nations and U.S. progressive Democrats of not paying enough attention to the issue.
Key Quote: Responding to CNN (Lean Left bias) host Dana Bash, who said some progressives had been “downright silent” on Hamas’ use of rape, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) said she had “absolutely” condemned Hamas and other “terrorist” organizations’ “horrific” use of sexual assault. She then added: “However, I think we have to be balanced about bringing in the outrages against Palestinians – 15,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes, three-quarters of whom are women and children.” Fellow Democratic women, including Hillary Clinton and White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, criticized Jayapal’s remarks, with some accusing her of both-sidesing the issue.
For Context: On Monday, the Israeli government released recordings of witness testimony discussing Hamas’ use of rape on October 7. Hamas dismissed the accusations as an attempt to “tarnish our humanity and moral treatment of captives.”
How the Media Covered It: Right-rated outlets often highlighted criticism of Jayapal, continuing their focus on “Squad” Democrats. Meanwhile, progressive outlet Democracy Now (Left bias) stood out by highlighting claims that Palestinian women had been raped in Israeli prisons. Coverage of Hamas rapes and the political response was found across the spectrum.
Why the Difference: Rape has always been used as a tool of war, but in modern conflicts, reports of sexual assault can also be powerful tools for building public support.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Center
Hamas planned sexual violence as weapon of war - Israeli campaignerHamas had a premeditated plan to use sexual violence as a weapon of war, an Israeli women's rights campaigner and lawyer has said.
Prof Ruth Halperin-Kaddari said she saw footage of women in several locations whose condition left her in "no doubt" that they had been raped.
There has been anger over the delay of some UN bodies to acknowledge claims of Hamas's sexual atrocities on 7 October.
Israel has been exploring evidence of sexual crimes during the attacks.
Warning: This article contains graphic details which some readers may find...
From the Left
Accounts of Sexual Violence by Hamas Are Aired Amid Criticism of U.N.The body of one woman had “nails and different objects in her female organs.” In another house, a person’s genitals were so mutilated that “we couldn’t identify if it was a man or a woman.”
Simcha Greinman, a volunteer who helped collect the remains of victims of the Hamas-led Oct. 7 assault on Israel, took long pauses as he spoke those words on Monday at an event at the United Nations.
“Horrific things I saw with my own eyes,” he said, “and I felt with my own hands.”
Shari Mendes,...
From the Right
Hillary Clinton slams progressives ignoring Hamas horrors: 'No excuses'Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke out against groups and people ignoring allegations of sex crimes against women by Hamas in the conflict against Israel.
Clinton forcefully condemned the actions against Israeli women, including rape, as a "crime against humanity" with "no justifications and no excuses" at a United Nations meeting on Monday, which she addressed via video.
“As you well know, many women and girls were attacked brutally by Hamas on Oct. 7,” Clinton said to the U.N. meeting. “And they have testified to the gender-based violence that they both experienced and witnessed....
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