In a recent House vote, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) stood as the sole dissenter in a resolution condemning the rape and sexual violence ordered by Hamas leaders during and after their October 7 attack in Israel. The resolution, led by Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), received overwhelming support with a vote of 418-0. It calls on nations to criminalize rape and sexual assault, hold perpetrators accountable, and urges international bodies to unequivocally denounce these “barbaric” acts.
Hamas’ attack claimed the lives of over 1,200 individuals, including 33 American citizens, while another 240 were taken hostage and transported to the Gaza Strip. The resolution highlights that many of the female victims were subjected to rape and sexual violence, describing these heinous acts as “weapons of war” used to terrorize and subvert populations worldwide.
Eyewitness testimonies, photographic evidence, and forensic medical units have corroborated the horrifying details of gang rape and genital mutilation that occurred during the Nova music festival in Re’im on October 7. Medical examinations of the victims’ bodies revealed signs of trauma, including shattered pelvises. Released Israeli hostages have also reported instances of sexual assault and abuse during their captivity.
Israeli security forces have obtained confessions from captured Hamas terrorists, who revealed that their leaders encouraged acts of sexual violence. The Israeli government, with the assistance of human rights lawyers and criminologists, has conducted investigations into these reports, further faulting international bodies, such as the United Nations, for their slow condemnation of the jihadists’ brutal actions.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a December interview with CNN, expressed his shock at the sexual attacks, stating they were “beyond anything that I’ve ever seen.” He criticized international organizations for their delayed response to the issue.
The resolution also affirms support for independent investigations into the matter, a request made by Rep. Tlaib. Previously, Tlaib had disputed Israeli and U.S. intelligence findings regarding the bombing of the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, which she defended as justified “resistance.” In November, the House censured Tlaib for promoting false narratives about the war and posting the phrase “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” on her social media account. The censure resolution noted that this phrase is widely understood as a call for the eradication of Israel.
Congressional Progressive Caucus chairwoman Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) also faced criticism for suggesting a need for more “balanced” criticism of both sides in the Israel-Hamas conflict, when asked about the reports of rape and sexual violence.
