Amid the avalanche of anti-Israel propaganda surrounding the Israel-Hamas war, it is more important than ever that international organizations like the United Nations (UN) remain impartial. In particular, the double standard against Israel that UN Women has demonstrated is alarming and must be challenged.
The UN Women website states that it is “dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.” In fact, it excludes a specific subset of women. The truth is that UN Women has turned a blind eye to the horrors that Israeli women suffered during the October 7 barbarous attack by Hamas.
Under the leadership of Executive Director Sima Bahous, UN Women has released a series of communications emphasizing Palestinian suffering, while entirely ignoring the savage massacre of Israeli women.
A report released on October 20, which contains the estimated number of dead and injured on both sides, notes that 53% of Palestinian casualties are women and children. Aside from the source of this statistic being suspect, as data coming out of the Hamas-ruled Gaza is historically unreliable, there is no mention of the percentage of Israeli women and children raped and mutilated by Hamas. The report goes on to state that the “impact [of the crisis] from a gender perspective cannot be overlooked.” The crisis to which UN Women refers is clear, as is the one it continues to neglect.
UN Women’s pattern of bias has continued throughout the conflict. It released a story on November 1, part of a larger series called “Voices from Gaza,” that features the picture and emotional testimony of a suffering Palestinian-Arab women.
Notably, there is no series called “Voices from Israel.” A visitor to the UN Woman website would never know that Israeli women and children are currently held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. They may never see the horrifying images of Israeli women and children mutilated, raped and murdered on October 7.
The scandalous imbalance of reporting conducted by UN Women toward Israel is evident in its approach to other regional conflicts. The organization was quick to condemn sexual violence perpetrated in Ukraine, and highlighted crimes committed against women in Sudan and Ethiopia.
The inconsistency of its advocacy when it comes to Israeli women raises serious questions about UN Women’s legitimacy. Any respected international organization must adopt an agenda-free approach in order to be taken seriously. UN Women must retract reports when proven to be false, as in the case of Al Ahli hospital strike. Failing to do so will prevent the international body from achieving its stated mission of promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. Thus far, it is not living up to its lofty mission.
UN Woman has a powerful platform for shaping global perspectives and must be held to the highest standards of integrity. Instead, its predisposition to reporting desired outcomes skews the global understanding of the situation in Gaza, which only serves to perpetuate further conflict.
When the United Nations fails to stand up for Israeli women and hostages, when it fails to condemn Hamas, when it fails to report the truth, it is failing women everywhere.
Now is the time for UN Women to make a concerted effort toward positive change. UN Women can play a crucial role in defending women by adopting an impartial stance and acknowledging the complexities of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
This is not merely a demand for fairness. It is a call for a commitment to integrity.
Karys Rhea is a producer at The Epoch Times and works with the Middle East Forum, Jewish Leadership Project and Baste Records.
UN Entity for Women Empowerment Turns a Blind Eye to Israeli Female Victims of Terror
Karys Rhea
Amid the avalanche of anti-Israel propaganda surrounding the Israel-Hamas war, it is more important than ever that international organizations like the United Nations (UN) remain impartial. In particular, the double standard against Israel that UN Women has demonstrated is alarming and must be challenged.
The UN Women website states that it is “dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.” In fact, it excludes a specific subset of women. The truth is that UN Women has turned a blind eye to the horrors that Israeli women suffered during the October 7 barbarous attack by Hamas.
Under the leadership of Executive Director Sima Bahous, UN Women has released a series of communications emphasizing Palestinian suffering, while entirely ignoring the savage massacre of Israeli women.
A report released on October 20, which contains the estimated number of dead and injured on both sides, notes that 53% of Palestinian casualties are women and children. Aside from the source of this statistic being suspect, as data coming out of the Hamas-ruled Gaza is historically unreliable, there is no mention of the percentage of Israeli women and children raped and mutilated by Hamas. The report goes on to state that the “impact [of the crisis] from a gender perspective cannot be overlooked.” The crisis to which UN Women refers is clear, as is the one it continues to neglect.
UN Women’s pattern of bias has continued throughout the conflict. It released a story on November 1, part of a larger series called “Voices from Gaza,” that features the picture and emotional testimony of a suffering Palestinian-Arab women.
Notably, there is no series called “Voices from Israel.” A visitor to the UN Woman website would never know that Israeli women and children are currently held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. They may never see the horrifying images of Israeli women and children mutilated, raped and murdered on October 7.
The scandalous imbalance of reporting conducted by UN Women toward Israel is evident in its approach to other regional conflicts. The organization was quick to condemn sexual violence perpetrated in Ukraine, and highlighted crimes committed against women in Sudan and Ethiopia.
The inconsistency of its advocacy when it comes to Israeli women raises serious questions about UN Women’s legitimacy. Any respected international organization must adopt an agenda-free approach in order to be taken seriously. UN Women must retract reports when proven to be false, as in the case of Al Ahli hospital strike. Failing to do so will prevent the international body from achieving its stated mission of promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. Thus far, it is not living up to its lofty mission.
UN Woman has a powerful platform for shaping global perspectives and must be held to the highest standards of integrity. Instead, its predisposition to reporting desired outcomes skews the global understanding of the situation in Gaza, which only serves to perpetuate further conflict.
When the United Nations fails to stand up for Israeli women and hostages, when it fails to condemn Hamas, when it fails to report the truth, it is failing women everywhere.
Now is the time for UN Women to make a concerted effort toward positive change. UN Women can play a crucial role in defending women by adopting an impartial stance and acknowledging the complexities of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
This is not merely a demand for fairness. It is a call for a commitment to integrity.
Karys Rhea is a producer at The Epoch Times and works with the Middle East Forum, Jewish Leadership Project and Baste Records.
Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.
Editor's Picks
Israel and the Internet Wars – A Professional Social Media Review
The Invisible Student: A Tale of Homelessness at UCLA and USC
What Ever Happened to the LA Times?
Who Are the Jews On Joe Biden’s Cabinet?
You’re Not a Bad Jewish Mom If Your Kid Wants Santa Claus to Come to Your House
No Labels: The Group Fighting for the Political Center
Latest Articles
But When There’s a Real Genocide, They’re Silent
Sonoma State University President Retires
It’s Not a Fairy Tale
Alleged Paul Kessler Killer Will Stand Trial
So Many Holidays, So Little Time – A poem for Parsha Emor
Israel War Room Discovers How-to-Riot Guide and Pro-Terror Propaganda for College Students
Culture
Aliza Lavie’s ‘Iconic Jewish Women’ Inspires and Empowers
Recipes to Celebrate World Baking Day
Holy Moly — A Perfect Red Rice
Jewish Comedians Shine at ‘Netflix Is a Joke’ Festival
Orthodox Jewish Families Fight for Equal Treatment in California Schools
When it comes to religious schools, funding for services for students with disabilities is blocked – even though it should be permitted under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
The Multitasking Chef: Benny’s Grill L.A. is a Solo Restaurant Operation
Benny is a one-man show, seamlessly transitioning between roles as chef, waiter, cashier and busboy.
Showing Decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind
A Bisl Torah – A Soulful Journey
As you wander through your spiritual journey, let God be your guide and Torah be your destination.
A Moment in Time: “We Have Two Ears and One Mouth for a Reason”
Hollywood
Spielberg Says Antisemitism Is “No Longer Lurking, But Standing Proud” Like 1930s Germany
Young Actress Juju Brener on Her “Hocus Pocus 2” Role
Behind the Scenes of “Jeopardy!” with Mayim Bialik
Podcasts
Eitan Bernath: Exploring the Jewish Kitchens of Mexico, Food on Social Media and Egg Salad
Modern (Orthodox) Dating ft. Mikey Greenblatt (@jewishvibes)
More news and opinions than at a
Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.