Ilana Gritzewsky, an Israeli woman who spent 55 days as a hostage in Gaza, testified before the United Nations Human Rights Council last week about her experience of abduction and sexual violence by Hamas militants. Gritzewsky, from the Israeli kibbutz Nir Oz, recounted being assaulted, hooded, and transported to Gaza after militants forcefully entered her home. She described physical injuries including broken bones and enduring sexual assault, which she detailed with evident distress during her testimony.

Despite her testimony, Reem Alsalem, the UN special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, appeared unresponsive during the session, avoiding eye contact and maintaining a neutral expression as Gritzewsky pleaded for recognition of her suffering. Alsalem, a Cairo-born Jordanian with a background in human rights law from Oxford, has previously been involved in advocacy for women’s rights, including addressing issues related to motherhood, statelessness, Taliban abuses, and climate change impacts.

However, Alsalem’s response—or lack thereof—to Gritzewsky’s account has drawn significant criticism. Observers noted a discrepancy between Alsalem’s public statements and the evidence presented, particularly concerning sexual violence committed by Hamas. Last year, Alsalem maintained that no independent investigations had confirmed rape on October 7, a position at odds with material including Hamas’s own recorded footage. In contrast, Alsalem has spoken more pointedly about alleged Israeli violence against Palestinian women, framing those claims as “credible.”

This incident has reignited longstanding criticisms about perceived biases within the UN human rights framework, particularly regarding the treatment of Jewish victims in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Some contend that the UN’s special rapporteurs sometimes selectively address abuses, emphasizing Israeli actions while underplaying or dismissing violence perpetrated against Israelis, particularly Jewish women.

Gritzewsky’s testimony highlights the challenges survivors face when reporting sexual violence, especially in cultures where female modesty is highly valued and public disclosure carries significant stigma. Her decision to speak publicly at the Human Rights Council was described as an act of courage amid a climate of skepticism and silence.

The differing narratives apparent in the UN’s handling of sexual violence allegations reflect broader tensions in international discourse on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Advocates for Palestinian rights argue that documented abuses by Israeli forces warrant scrutiny, while critics assert that downplaying or denying violence inflicted on Israelis undermines impartiality and justice.

Gritzewsky concluded her appearance by emphasizing her identity as a survivor, stating, “I am the living proof of sexual violence by Hamas.” Her call for acknowledgment and apology from UN officials went unanswered, underscoring the deep divisions and contested narratives characterizing the ongoing conflict and its international response.