Avi Benlolo: The despicable silence when it comes to sexual assault of Jewish women

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In the realm of democracies, it appears that the cherished Judeo-Christian principles, foundational to many societies, have taken a backseat. The moral compass seems skewed, flipped by a self-destructive generation quick to label anyone they disagree with as racists or colonialists.

As we approach the UN-designated International Day for the Prevention of Violence against Women, it’s disheartening to note the silence from women’s groups on the horrifying rapes and assaults suffered by Jewish women at the hands of Hamas on Oct. 7. As a father of two girls, witnessing feminist groups treating these atrocities differently is deeply troubling.

Israel’s First Lady, Michal Herzog, addressed this silence in a recent Newsweek article, condemning women’s groups for not denouncing the heinous acts witnessed at the Nova music festival. Reports detailed Hamas terrorists engaging in gang rapes, murder, and mutilation of women. Shockingly, a video even captured terrorists torturing a pregnant woman and removing her fetus.

Despite ample video and physical evidence of these crimes, there is a deafening lack of condemnation. Herzog revealed that forensic scientists found evidence of women and girls subjected to violence so brutal that their pelvic bones were broken. Disturbing videos, such as those of young Israeli girls mistreated in Gaza, further highlight the gravity of the situation.

One perplexing aspect is the contradiction with Islamic teachings, which strictly prohibit rape and consider it haram (forbidden), imposing severe punishment on the perpetrator. Modesty, especially for women, is deemed sacred in Islam. The question arises: Why haven’t Muslim groups condemned Hamas for these crimes? Is it because the victims were Jewish?

Notably, organizations like UN Women and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women have yet to denounce these rapes. Sadly, lessons from history remind us that denial and distortion are common tactics of antisemites. While not all feminists and leftists share these views, all antisemites invariably deny the truth.

Relying on organizations advocating for human rights to uphold truth and justice is increasingly challenging. Recent weeks have seen an alarming effort to suppress and deny the crimes committed by Hamas, as if they never occurred. That’s why I am now in Israel to collect as much evidence as possible — to safeguard the truth for the onslaught of denial that will undoubtedly hit us at the next fabricated “Israeli apartheid week” at your local campus.

It is disturbing the University of Alberta Sexual Assault Center signed on to a letter that questioned whether these assaults happened, and underscores the gravity of the situation. Fortunately, the university swiftly dismissed the director, reaffirming its commitment to morals and ethics. The kind note from the Acting-Dean was appreciated, demonstrating there is still hope for our campuses.

The undeniable atrocities and war crimes of Oct. 7 stand as a stark reality. Yet, for some, being born Jewish and an Israeli citizen seems to exempt you from the application of international law. Antisemitism trumps justice, even in the face of rape and murder. Shame befalls any human rights organization that fails to acknowledge these crimes.

As we approach the International Day for the Prevention of Violence against Women, there’s a final opportunity for these organizations to break their silence and stand against injustice. The time to act is now.

Avi Benlolo is the Founder and CEO of The Abraham Global Peace Initiative. You can learn more about it at www.agpiworld.com