Virtual event will mark six months since Oct. 7 Hamas attacks

On April 7, a virtual event will mark six months since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel.  “The Reality of Sexual Violence in War: 6-month commemoration of Oct 7 Hamas attacks in Israel” will take place on Zoom from 2-3:30 p.m.

Co-sponsors Rhode Island Coalition for Israel and Hadassah RI Chapter, together with numerous participating organizations, understand the need to raise awareness on the sexual violence that was perpetrated by Hamas against women in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The use of rape and sexual violence is a war crime recognized as a direct violation of the international rules of war (not to mention it is unacceptable in any situation).

Please join us as we learn and explore more about the sexual brutality that happened on Oct. 7 in Israel while hearing from two incredible keynote speakers, Nitsana Darshan-Leitner from Shurat HaDin Israel Law Center and Susan Seely from NA'AMAT USA (NA'AMAT is the largest women's movement in Israel). We will also have the opportunity to hear from several local organizations that work directly with or support women, including those that work in the domestic violence/sexual assault field in Rhode Island.

This event is not just an act of remembrance, it is a call to act against indifference and silence toward all victims of sexual violence and sexual terrorism. We seek to collectively acknowledge the atrocities that occurred in Israel and commemorate these victims, while also sharing local community and national organizations doing important work to positively support and impact women. All women must support all women. And all humans must stand up and speak out against sexual violence regardless of where and when it happens, and regardless of race, religion, creed, or gender. 

Rhode Island Coalition for Israel and Hadassah RI Chapter are joined by these participating organizations: Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, Day One, Women's Fund of Rhode Island, Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center, Independent Women's Network RI Chapter, Christians and Jews United for Israel, Israeli-American Civic Action Network, Core Connects RI, Shurat HaDin Israel Law Center, and NA'AMAT USA

The speakers are:

Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, the founder and president of Shurat HaDin,Israel Law Center, is an Israeli activist attorney and a leader in the legal fight against Israel’s enemies. She is the co-author of the bestselling book “Harpoon: Inside the Covert War Against Terrorism's Money Masters” published by Hachette.  The narrative recounts Shurat HaDin's work with the Israeli Mossad to wage financial warfare against Israel's terrorist enemies. She is a frequent commentator about legal matters involving terrorism, the State of Israel and threats to Jews around the world. She has appeared on Israeli talk shows, Voice of Israel Radio, CNN, the BBC and European television. Her editorials have been published in The New York Times, the Jerusalem Report, and many American, Canadian and European publications. In 2016 and 2018, Darshan-Leitner was chosen as one of the 50 most influential Jews in the world by the Jerusalem Post, and named by the Israeli financial magazine, The Marker, as one of Israel's 50 most influential women. A mother of six, including triplets, she is a graduate of the Bar-Ilan University Law Faculty and holds an MBA from Manchester University.

Susan Seely is the national executive director of NA’AMAT USA, a nonprofit organization that supports women, children and families in Israel. She has over 20 years of experience in leading and managing various initiatives in the fields of international trade, education, politics and conflict transformation. She holds an MA in Middle East Studies from the University of Washington and a BA in Political Science from UC Santa Barbara. She is a certified Rodefet Shalom (Pardes), a graduate of several leadership programs, and an active member of many civic and Jewish organizations. Seely is passionate about empowering women and promoting peace and dialogue in the Middle East, the U.S., and globally.

You can find more information and register  here

This event is open to and free for all to attend. Please consider making a donation to support this event at this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14UEYS5ZQRfjqb9tqPpebL_vOsOJy-Vtr/view

Submitted by Maria Friedman on behalf of the sponsors