“We are proudly Australian Jewish and Iranian women. We are friends and colleagues, representing thousands of women in our respective communities: daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers.
We see each other and take this opportunity on the third anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack of 7 October to say:
We see the Israeli women who were subjected to extreme sexual violence on and after October 7, and whose Australian sisters carry with them the images and reverberations of that harm. For many, a second wound followed as their suffering was denied, doubted, minimised or met with silence.
We see the Iranian women who have been silenced, jailed, attacked or murdered for the ‘crime’ of trying to live as free people. We honour the survivors who found the courage to speak about sexual violence in detention, knowing that speaking could cost them everything. We grieve for those whose voices will never be heard again.
Iranian Mahsa Amini and Israeli Shani Louk and thousands of women like them were victims of the same woman-hating Islamist ideology that threatens the safety and freedoms of women in all societies across the world.
Every woman deserves to be safe, to be believed and to be free from violence, whatever her faith, her ethnicity or her story. Recognising one woman’s pain does not mean negating the pain of any other.
We ask Australia’s government, institutions, NGOs and all Australian feminists to stand with us:
- To speak out about and act against gender-based violence
- To protect those who are threatened, harassed or intimidated or harmed
- To make sure support services are available to all
To every woman who has been the victim of gender-based violence here or overseas, we see you and we believe you.”
Lynda Ben-Menashe, National President NCJWA and Tina Kordrostami, Councillor, City of Ryde
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National Council of Jewish Women Victoria (NCJWV)
NCJWA Vic would like to acknowledge the Boon Wurrung and the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nations and all traditional owners of the land that is Australia. We recognise the traditional owners' continuing connection to the land, waterways and community. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and we acknowledge their stories, traditions and living cultures. As Jewish women, we specifically honour and acknowledge First Nations’ women who, like our matriarchs, are strong, brave, determined and resilient.