What it is about
Israel’s Foreign Ministry has publicly criticized UN Women for neglecting female Israeli hostages held by Hamas while frequently sharing stories of Palestinian women. The ministry pointed out the disproportionate focus on Gaza while seemingly sidestepping the plight of Israeli women in captivity.
Why it matters
The transparency of international organizations and consistent attention to all victims are critical for maintaining their legitimacy and trust. The Foreign Ministry’s condemnation highlights a perceived bias, suggesting a need for balanced reporting and advocacy by global entities.
The Details
UN Women’s Post Discrepancy
Since December 2023, UN Women has mentioned Palestinian women 69 times in contrast to its mere one-and-a-half posts about Israeli female hostages. Although many personal stories of Gazan women were shared, not one feature focused on Israeli women abducted by Hamas.
“When photos of these women were published recently, bruised and weak in Hamas captivity, @UN_Women @unwomenchief did not say a word. It seems that Israeli women simply don’t matter to them,” the Foreign Ministry stated.
UN Women’s Response
While UN Women’s posts included general statements condemning violence on both sides, specific mentions of Israeli female hostages were rare and often coupled with calls for a Gaza ceasefire. Notably, during the “16 Days of Activism” campaign, a pre-planned condemning post was deleted to focus instead on the release of hostages.
According to the UN Women’s representative, “In any social media team managing multiple campaigns, mistakes can occur… we really wanted to focus on the release of hostages.”
Condition of Female Hostages
The brutal conditions and treatment of female hostages held by Hamas have been extensively reported. Videos released reveal the harrowing mistreatment of young women, some of whom were forced into servitude and subjected to severe violence and derision.
Accusations of Bias
The deletion of posts focused on Israeli victims sparked significant backlash, igniting the #MeToo_UNless_UR_a_Jew campaign on social media. This movement underscored the disparity in international advocacy, calling for equitable attention and action for all victims of violence.
Noga Weiss, a former hostage, recounted her terror in captivity: “I pretended to laugh so he wouldn’t shoot me in the head. People don’t understand the feeling of fear.”
The Impact
This incident underscores the necessity for impartial and comprehensive advocacy on both sides of a conflict. The international community’s approach to human rights should remain consistent, ensuring all victims receive the attention and support they deserve.
This story was first published on jpost.com.