The policy brief titled "On the Violence Against Israeli Women by Hamas" outlines a comprehensive analysis and a set of recommendations regarding the incidents of violence against Israeli women perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, 2023. The brief, presented by the Forum for Foreign Relations, comes with forewords from such notable figures as: Chemi Peres, Mithal Al Alusi, Oleksandra Matviichuk, Ambassador Lisa Gable, and Dana White.
The brief articulates key policy recommendations aimed at addressing the immediate and systemic issues highlighted by the violence. The recommendations are:
- Official Inquiry: It is advised to initiate an official inquiry into the attacks, ensuring a thorough and impartial investigation that adheres to international standards.
- Enhancement of UN Women's Advocacy: Nations affiliated with UN Women are called to leverage their standing to demand a strong denunciation of the violence and to ensure UN Women's adherence to core principles. It is suggested that partners of UN Women condition financial support on the organization's commitment to these tenets.
- Support for Victims: The briefing emphasizes the importance of UN Women, along with allied organizations, to recognize and provide immediate and ongoing support to the victims. This encompasses medical, psychological, and social assistance to facilitate their recovery.
- Task Force Formation: A specialized task force within UN Women should be established with a focus on prevention, response, and advocacy concerning gender-based violence in conflict zones. This team's goal would be to prevent the recurrence of such acts of violence.
- Financial Accountability Mechanism: To ensure UN Women's dedication to its mission, a financial accountability mechanism, envisioned as a 'traffic light' system, is proposed. This would enable signatory countries and private donors to impose financial sanctions should UN Women fail to meet its obligations, encouraging action against gender-based violence.
- New Protocol for UN Women Leadership: To ensure impartiality and prevent biases or conflicts of interest, a new protocol for the vetting and appointment of UN Women leadership is suggested. This would ensure leadership is committed to the organization's core values and objectives.