The United Nations Office at Geneva
Multimedia Newsroom
Meirav Leshem-Gonen, Israel
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5:02
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MP4
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324.3 MB
Statements from:
- Navi Pillay, Chair, Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel
- Meirav Leshem-Gonen, Israel
- Ibrahim Khraishi, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the UN Office at Geneva
Teleprompter
[Other language spoken]
President, my name is Mirav Lechem Gunen and I'm the mother of Romy Gunen, a 23 year old woman who was haunted by Hamas terrorist on October 7th, 2023.
Trying to escape from the murderous hands, she was shot while driving in a car with three other young people.
As the only survivor, she was brutally dragged by her long beautiful hair from the car along the road.
I was a witness to this reality while speaking with her on the phone, hearing her helplessness and frustration without being able to help my baby.
[Other language spoken]
Army and 119 other hostages are still being held in incommunicado in the Gaza Strip to this day.
[Other language spoken]
President, I stand before you today not just as a mother, but also a voice for women who have endured unimaginable suffering, whose pain is not acknowledged, When women's body are used as political tools, when their dignity is set aside because they are not on the right side.
It is a badge of shame for us all.
Since October 7th, the word has been confronted with the grim reality of the sexual violence that occurred on the day of the attack and during captivity.
However, despite horrifying testimony, testimonies of survivors.
A comprehensive report by Special Representative of the Secretary General on sexual violence in conflict, Mrs Pamela Patten, and charges of sexual violence and **** in intentional tribunals.
In international tribunals, the report of the COI has failed to properly address these accounts.
[Other language spoken]
President, the recent report from most COI trivialise the severity of sexual violence experienced by women in captivity by reducing the suffering to mere parading of women as trophies.
This oversimplification and dismissive attitude are not only deeply insensitive but also indicative of a broader problem, the unwillingness to confront uncomfortable truth and the shocking decision to look away and not reach out to help the helpless ones.
Released hostages such as Amit Sosana, Gam Gulch, Tenal Mog and Aviva Seagal have courageously shared the first hand experiences.
The testimonies should have been met with serious investigation and validation.
Instead the stories have been overlooked by the report.
The international community must not allow political consideration to override our core human values.
Energy and resources should be directed towards securing the release of the hostages and the rehabilitation of the victims.
We owe all hostages still held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza to do all in our power to release them immediately.
I owe it to Romy, and so does the international community.
[Other language spoken]
President, Homie has a father, two sisters and two brothers who have dedicated their entire lives in the last 257 days to her release.
This is true for all 120 hostages who are still being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza without any adequate information about the conditions, health and status.
I stand before you today also as the representative of the family members who are also suffering.
The health is deteriorating writing and the pain should be acknowledged as well.
The enforced disappearance of the hostages by Hamas constitute cruel and inhuman treatment both to the hostages and to the family members.
This reality was completely overlooked by the Commission of Inquiry.
I remember my conversation text messages with Romy during that horrific day.
I knew she was haunted by terrorists who were shooting at them.
Romy was trying to hide behind bushes and shushed me so they will not hear me as she wrote.
I remember the last call from Romy on that fateful morning.
She was terrified and I felt utterly helpless as I listened to her suffering.
[Other language spoken]
No one should, Mr.
President, we should be on the same side, the side, fighting, hostage, talking, taking, never accepting the use of young women's tools for trade.
I hope my mom is still believes in the free world, still believes in the US, and still believes that together we will end the nightmare she is in.
I believe that we can do more for them.
We can do better for them.
The hostages needs us.
The world needs them.
Please help me hug my daughter again.
[Other language spoken]
[Other language spoken]