Israeli Hollywood star Gal Gadot sharply criticized the world’s silence over acts of sexual violence against women in Hamas’ attack on October 7, posting early Monday morning a harsh message to her 109 million followers on Instagram, which says: "The world has failed the women of October 7th."
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The Israeli actress, who became an international icon after starring as "Wonder Woman", wrote: “We claim we stand against rape, violence against women. We will not let women be victimized and then silenced. We say we believe women, stand with women, speak out for women.
“On October 7th, the world witnessed Hamas carrying out its violent plans in real time. Within hours of the October 7th attack, the first blood-chilling video emerged of Shani Louk being paraded naked and defiled by her proud assailants. 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 demands a decisive response,” she added.
Gadot also called on influential women around the world to speak out. “This is our moment as women and allies of women to act,” she wrote, asking international groups, including the United Nations, to “demand that Hamas release every single woman hostage immediately. These women cannot survive another moment of this horror.”
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Gadot's post comes following prolonged silence from women's organizations worldwide, with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres first addressing the issue only last week. “There are numerous accounts of sexual violence during the abhorrent acts of terror by Hamas on 7 October that must be vigorously investigated and prosecuted,” Guterres said, further angering Israel over his call for investigation when there is already video documentation.