Dear Dani,
When we marked International Women's Day last week, it was preceded by a grim milestone: 5 months since the October 7 attacks and the start of the war. The events of that horrid day have once again shown us the continued, gendered attempts to silence women across our society. Our attention is focused on all those who have been impacted – the women surveillance soldiers tasked with watching the Gaza border who were ignored leading up to the attack, the women who were raped, killed, or taken hostage on October 7th, those who were released from captivity and those who remain under cruel and inhuman conditions. The women who lost loved ones. The women who were left behind while their loved ones were drafted, and of course those who themselves are on the frontlines.
As we have seen once again with the recent publication of the U.N report on the issue, we must confront the stark reality of the horrendous, extensive sexual violence Hamas unleashed on women and men during the October 7th attacks. The world's response to these atrocities was muted and delayed. We must continue to raise a clear and unequivocal voice, as we have already called upon to the international community, asserting that sexual violence can never be tolerated or used as a tool of war, under any circumstances.
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The women leading our Fund for the Victims of Terror were honored at our recent Board of Governors meetings
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And yet, even in these dark times, we see women who provide us with so much hope. At The Jewish Agency, we remain committed to supporting the victims of the October 7 attacks through our Fund for Victims of Terror. We have supported over 8,000 families directly impacted by the attacks. With the support of our partners at the Jewish Federations of North America, Keren Hayesod, and other private donors and foundations, I am proud to share that our efforts collectively, and specifically those of the women leading the Fund, were recently honored at both our Board of Governors meeting and by the Genesis Prize. These accolades serve as a testament to the unwavering dedication of our organization and its partners in alleviating the suffering of those affected by terror and our commitment to saying loud and clear - bring the hostages home now!
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At The Jewish Agency, we marked International Women’s Day by announcing the opening of a poignant exhibit "Sisterhood: Women Heal the Fractures of War" by acclaimed Israeli photojournalist Avishag Shaar Yashuv. Through powerful imagery, this exhibit showcases nine relationships between women from The Jewish Agency’s Fund for Victims of Terror and women they helped during the war.
Finally, I want to take a moment to recognize the courageous women within our own organization who work tirelessly to advance our mission. Their dedication and determination are instrumental in shaping a better future for Israel, for the Jewish people, and for women everywhere.
Together, let us continue to strive for a world where all women are safe, respected, and empowered.
With resolve,
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Amira Ahronoviz
CEO & Director General
The Jewish Agency for Israel
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