Report: Evidence of Israel’s Sexual Violence, Gang Rape During Gaza War
GAZA (Dispatches) – The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor stressed the need for the United Nations to add the Zionist regime to the UN’s blacklist of entities suspected of perpetrating sexual violence in conflicts “in light of substantial evidence documenting Israel’s systematic use of sexual violence, including rape and other forms of sexual abuse, as part of its broader campaign of annihilation against the Palestinian people.”
In a new report issued by the organization, which discussed this policy adopted by the occupation, it expressed concern over: “Israel’s consistent obstructions of all United Nations investigations into allegations of sexual violence since October 7, 2023.”
It noted, “These obstructions, coupled with substantial evidence indicating systematic and widespread acts of rape and other forms of sexual violence by Israeli forces against Palestinians, including prisoners and detainees, constitute grave violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.”
The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor urged that based on this, “The grounds for the inclusion of Israel on the UN’s blacklist of entities suspected of perpetrating sexual violence in conflicts are compelling.”
The report mentioned the recent revelation of Israel’s refusal to cooperate with an investigation by UN Special Representative on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Pramila Patten.
According to the report, “This refusal reportedly stems from concerns that a comprehensive investigation would expose Israel’s systematic use of mass rape against Palestinians, including women and children, as Patten had insisted that access to Israeli detention centers to investigate allegations against Israeli soldiers was a crucial requirement for the process.”
Chair of Euro-Med Monitor Ramy Abdu emphasized, “Israel’s repeated refusal to cooperate with all UN investigations into sexual violence highlights the Israeli regime’s exploitation of the allegations of this grave crime as a propaganda tool to manufacture consent for its full-fledged, live-streamed genocide.”
“Israel merely uses these allegations to shame and smear critics and deflect blame from its formidable crimes against humanity,” he added.