Israel’s First Lady Criticizes Global Response

Israel’s First Lady, Michal Herzog, is not one to mince words. In an exclusive interview, she expressed her deep frustration and outrage over the response of international women’s rights groups to the mass rapes perpetrated by Hamas terrorists during the October 7 attacks. The warm and down-to-earth Herzog accused these organizations of a “painful betrayal of women,” emphasizing the shocking silence surrounding the heinous acts.

Herzog, a former criminal lawyer and Israel’s highest-profile First Lady in years, did not hold back in highlighting the hypocrisy and double standards faced by Israeli women. In her eyes, the lack of condemnation for the organized sexual violence by these groups reflects a bias against Israel. She pointed out that evidence of the orchestrated, gender-based violence was overwhelming, including eyewitness testimony, videos shot by perpetrators, and Hamas “instruction manuals” recovered from fighters.

In a passionate tone, Herzog questioned the betrayal, not just of Israeli women but women at large, referencing the Me Too movement that advocated for believing women. The stark contrast between the support for women’s rights in other contexts and the silence over the Hamas attacks left her deeply troubled.

Despite the trauma and challenges faced by Israel during the October 7 attacks, Herzog found hope in the country’s sense of mutual responsibility and solidarity. She highlighted the involvement of Arab citizens, showing tremendous responsibility even amid the difficult circumstances.

As the conversation unfolded, Herzog’s words painted a vivid picture of a nation grappling with tragedy but resilient in the face of adversity. The interview shed light on the need for a more nuanced and unbiased approach in addressing women’s rights issues, especially in conflict zones. Michal Herzog, with her core of steel, stands as a voice calling for justice and recognition for the women who have suffered amidst the horrors of war.

_{Repurposed article originally published in the Jewish Chronicle}