Duval Times

Senators Rick Scott, Jacky Rosen, Joni Ernst, Kirsten Gillibrand, Susan Collins, and Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ben Cardin have led a bipartisan group of 27 colleagues in condemning the United Nations (UN) for its inaction regarding Hamas' widespread sexual violence against women in Israel on October 7, 2023. In a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the senators called for an independent investigation into Hamas' acts of sexual violence and held the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) accountable for its failure to immediately and unequivocally condemn Hamas's atrocities.

The senators expressed their disappointment in the UN's response, stating, "A growing body of evidence including the testimonies of survivors, witnesses, and first responders makes clear that as part of Hamas's terrorist attack that killed 1,200 men, women, and children on October 7, the terrorist organization intentionally used rape and sexual assault as weapons of war."

They further emphasized the need for condemnation and swift action, noting, "Sexual violence, particularly on this scale and of this level of brutality, must be condemned unequivocally and without qualification, which is why we were shocked that it took UN Women nearly two months to speak out against these atrocities."

To address the urgent need for justice, the senators urged the establishment of an independent fact-finding effort through a separate mechanism. This effort would be tasked with collecting testimonies from survivors and witnesses of Hamas's sexual violence. The senators believe that an independent investigation is necessary to hold perpetrators accountable, support survivors, and provide justice for victims.

The bipartisan group of senators calling for action includes Shelley Moore Capito, Kyrsten Sinema, Katie Britt, Tammy Duckworth, James Risch, Maggie Hassan, Kevin Cramer, Richard Blumenthal, Lisa Murkowski, Cory Booker, Deb Fischer, Bob Casey, Mike Crapo, John Fetterman, Chuck Grassley, Bill Cassidy, Joe Manchin, James Lankford, Ron Wyden, Dan Sullivan, Lindsey Graham, Marco Rubio, Tim Scott, Jerry Moran, Bill Hagerty, Roger Wicker, and Marsha Blackburn.

The full text of the letter can be found [HERE](link to the full text of the letter).

This bipartisan call for action highlights the urgent need to address Hamas' use of rape and sexual assault as "weapons of war." The senators have taken a strong stand against the UN's inaction and have called for a thorough investigation to bring justice to the victims and hold the perpetrators accountable.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/2023/12/sen-rick-scott-joins-bipartisan-push-condemning-united-nations-inaction-on-hamas-sexual-violence-against-women