French feminist groups are facing criticism for allegedly ignoring the sexual violence inflicted on Israeli women during the October 7 attacks by Hamas. This accusation highlights the conflicting narratives and loyalties that arise from the devastating conflict and the failure to quickly investigate the gender-based nature of some of the atrocities. The focus on the violence against Israeli women triggered an incident at the annual November 25 march in Paris to condemn violence against women, where a group of around 200 protesters, some carrying Israeli flags, claimed they were barred from joining the march by pro-Palestinian activists. The protesters aimed to denounce the silence of feminist groups and carried placards that read “MeToo, unless you are a Jew” and “Feminists, your silence makes you complicit”. The incident sparked widespread condemnation of the alleged bias among advocates of women’s rights. French journalist Rebecca Amsellem criticized the “Nous Toutes” movement for becoming “Nous Toutes unless you’re Jewish”, while author Sophie Gourion lamented the double standards within feminism. Government ministers and senior politicians also weighed in, emphasizing the importance of condemning violence regardless of nationality or conflict. The organizers of the Paris march released a statement condemning the sexual crimes committed by Hamas and accused far-right activists of trying to discredit them. The criticism faced by feminist groups in France is similar to complaints against rights groups and international organizations in other Western countries and Israel. UN agencies, including UN Women, have been scrutinized for their alleged failure to condemn the specific violence against women in the October 7 attacks. The criticism echoes Israel’s First Lady Michal Herzog’s outrage and betrayal over the international community’s silence on the gender-based sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas. The UN commission of inquiry investigating war crimes on both sides of the conflict has announced that it will focus on gathering evidence of sexual violence in the October 7 attacks. War crimes experts emphasize the need for an independent and thorough investigation into the crimes committed. Women’s rights groups in Israel have also raised concerns about the lack of forensic evidence in sexual violence cases. While footage of the attacks spread on social media, reports of sexual violence were slower to emerge. Israeli authorities have been criticized for their delayed response and failure to document the extent of the sexual atrocities. The Israeli government has been pushing for greater recognition and support for the victims of sexual violence through appeals and social media campaigns. French feminist groups have been accused of not believing Israeli women and displaying hypocrisy by demanding more proof.
