Israeli expert urges justice for both Israeli, Palestinian victims of sexual violence

Ottawa: An Israeli expert is making waves with her call for justice for both Israeli and Palestinian victims of sexual violence. Cochav Elkayam-Levy is leading a civilian commission looking into the horrific acts committed by Hamas. She’s pushing for the world to recognize a new crime against humanity, which she’s dubbed “kinocide.” This term highlights the targeted violence against families as a weapon of war.

In a recent interview, she pointed out that Canadians can demand accountability from Hamas while also holding Israeli troops responsible for their actions. It’s all about not creating false equivalences. Elkayam-Levy believes Canada should take a strong stance on this issue, especially given the lack of moral clarity from international organizations.

As a professor of international law at Hebrew University, she’s been documenting patterns of sexual violence during the 2023 attacks. Her team has reviewed disturbing footage and identified six patterns of violence that specifically target families. This includes broadcasting torture on social media and committing acts of violence in front of family members.

Elkayam-Levy argues that this unique form of violence needs to be recognized to help victims heal. She’s been working with experts, including Canadians, to push for this recognition. She believes that acknowledging kinocide is crucial for justice and healing, especially since similar patterns have been seen in past conflicts.

She’s also criticized the slow response from international organizations, particularly UN Women, in condemning Hamas’ actions. Elkayam-Levy feels that this silence only fuels denial and complicates the healing process for victims. She’s aware of the challenges in gathering evidence, especially in the chaos following the attacks.

Despite the complexities, she insists that it’s possible to call out Hamas for its sexual violence while also demanding accountability from Israeli forces. Elkayam-Levy emphasizes that the focus should be on upholding international law and ensuring that all victims are heard.

She’s been vocal about the need for a more inclusive approach to justice, criticizing the Israeli government for its lack of representation and decision-making. Elkayam-Levy believes that if the world doesn’t condemn the violence against families, we might see these brutal tactics adopted elsewhere.

In her view, the international system is at risk if we don’t address these issues head-on. It’s a call for action that resonates deeply in these challenging times.