Gal Gadot
Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images for NETFLIX
Gal Gadot has called for silence over media reports of sexual violence by Hamas during the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel and the ongoing danger faced by the female hostages as they face nearly three months of captivity.
“The world has failed the women of October 7th,” the Israeli actress wrote in an impassioned message on her Instagram on Sunday. “We claim we stand against rape and violence against women. We will not allow women to be victimized and then silenced. We say we believe women, stand with women and stand up for women.”
Gadot was apparently referring to recent questioning of the validity of Israeli media reports about sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas on October 7 in some Western countries, including the United States and Britain. Several prominent figures in Hollywood, including Julianna Margulies, have also questioned the silence of women’s advocacy groups on reports of horrific cases of rape, sexual torture and mutilation of women by Hamas.
The United Nations, in particular, has faced intense criticism in Israel for failing to comment on sexual violence against women during the attack and the continued safety of female hostages held by Hamas.
“There are numerous reports of sexual violence during Hamas’ heinous terrorist attacks on October 7, which must be vigorously investigated and prosecuted,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres wrote on X on November 30, but was sharply criticized in Israel elsewhere for doing so that it took so long to even recognize Hamas’ use of sexual violence as a weapon of war.
“Just hours after the October 7 attack, the first grisly video emerged of Shani Louk being paraded naked and violated by her proud attackers. “But two months later, women are still hostage to these rapists and the world has failed to call this situation what it is: an urgent emergency that requires a decisive response,” Gadot wrote.
The actress then called on “women and women’s allies to act” and called on various groups, including the United Nations, to do everything possible to ensure the release of the female hostages so that they continue to suffer sexual violence. “These women cannot survive another moment of this horror,” Gadot concluded.
Gadot has been outspoken since the events of October 7th. She uses her social media platform to vocally advocate for the release of hostages and highlights the personal stories of those still held captive. On October 12, Gadot, along with Jerry Seinfeld, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Pine, Mayim Bialik, Liev Schreiber, Amy Schumer and Michael Douglas, were among more than 700 celebrities and entertainment executives who signed an open letter declaring their publicly expressed support for Israel and demanded the return of the hostages.
Gadot’s full message is below.
The world failed the women of October 7th. We claim that we are against rape and violence against women. We will not allow women to be victimized and then silenced. We say we believe women, stand with women and stand up for women.
On October 7, the world witnessed Hamas carrying out its plans for violence in real time. Just hours after the October 7 attack, the first bloodthirsty video emerged of Shani Louk being paraded naked and violated by her proud attackers. Yet two months later, women are still hostage to these rapists and the world has failed to call this situation what it is: an urgent emergency that requires a decisive response.
This is the moment for us as women and allies of women to act. I call on everyone who has done so much for women’s rights around the world – from the United Nations to the human rights community – to join in demanding that Hamas release every single woman hostage immediately, not after the next round of international mediation, not after another day. These women cannot survive another moment of this horror.