EP35 (S2) - Silent Screams: Women in the Crosshairs with Ariela Karmel

The weaponization of violence against women in war in human history is excruciatingly long, the purpose of which is to torture and terrorize the individual woman as much as to harm and humiliate the entire nation. The world witnessed one of the modern era’s worst examples of mass rape and violence against women on October 7th by Hamas, with Israeli women being targeted being both Jews and women - a dual crime in the eyes of their attackers.

This week’s episode features Ariela Karmel, a Tel Aviv-based reporter who has covered the October 7th massacres and Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas, including the sexual violence committed against Israeli women by Hamas, which was central to their attack.

Ariela and Amy’s candid discussion on the sexual violence of October 7th including the ongoing violence against the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza, and the silence from international feminist and human rights organizations, is as enlightening as it is unsettling. With her unique perspective as both a journalist and a student of Middle Eastern history, Ariela offers a nuanced understanding of the dynamics at play in war-torn regions, and the often overlooked human cost that accompanies them.

Points of discussion include the New York Times investigative report, released in late December, shedding light on crucial insight, exclusive coverage by the Daily Mail from January 9, exploring the heartbreaking situation of girls still being held by Hamas. The conversation also relates to a statement issued by UN special rapporteurs on torture and extrajudicial executions on January 8 calling for justice for acts committed by Hamas during the October 7th attack which "constitute gross violations of international law, amounting to war crimes which, given the number of victims and the extensive premeditation and planning of the attacks, may also qualify as crimes against humanity."

With sharp insights, Ariela captures the raw emotions of the victims and the moral confusion that has enveloped the world's response—or lack thereof—to the horrors of October 7th, despite being one of the most well-documented mass atrocities of all time.

This episode is not just a recounting of events; it's a powerful commentary on the state of journalism, the ethics of reporting, and the responsibilities of media in shaping public narratives. Ariela's voice is a beacon of clarity in the fog of war, urging us to look beyond the surface and to question the stories being told.

Listeners will find themselves confronted with difficult truths about the international community's response to sexual violence in conflict zones - particularly when committed against Israelis and Jews. The discussion challenges the status quo, pushing us to consider why certain voices are amplified while others are muted, and what that says about our global values.

Recorded on January 8 (Day 94).

For more insight, you can read Ariela’s articles on the subject here:

• "Dancing on our graves: Hamas’ war on Israel and the world's moral confusion"
• "Israeli women are under brutal attack and there is complete silence"
• "The battle to highlight crimes against women in Hamas’ attack on Israel"

Follow Ariela’s work here and on Instagram @arielakarmel.

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