Staff Reports
The Biden Administration rolled out another lofty “fact sheet” on Monday, brimming with boastful rhetoric about tackling conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). This time, it doubled down on Vice President Kamala Harris’s crusade against sexual violence in conflicts, complete with a glamorous event commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. One might think Biden and Harris deserve a Nobel Peace Prize just based on these self-congratulatory documents. Harris, ever the prosecutor-turned-politician, even threw in her career highlights for good measure. However, a glaring omission stands out: not a single mention of the horrific rapes committed by Hamas against Israeli women.
WH Fact Sheet on VP Harris' 'Actions to Address Conflict-Related Sexual Violence' Had Glaring Omission https://t.co/JTr9a37D1g
— K. B. Eric Riddle (@ridd10473) June 19, 2024
In the latest episode of Washington’s selective moral outrage, the fact sheet graciously mentions Ukraine, Congo, Sudan, and Iraq. It painstakingly highlights every other conflict zone imaginable, giving special shoutouts to Sudan and Sri Lanka and even devoting sections to “Increasing Women’s Leadership to Address CRSV.” Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, South Sudan—they’re all bunched together like a liberal cocktail party guest list. But Israel, the theater of horrific terror attacks just last October? Crickets.
Harris did perform her duty on the international stage, shining a spotlight on the rapes committed by Hamas. StopAntisemitism noted her perfunctory nod to the violence, citing Jewish Insider’s coverage. Despite her public remarks, the absence of Israel from their make-believe “fact sheet” remains baffling. It’s especially concerning given the brutal events of October 7, where Hamas terrorists killed 1,200 Israelis, kidnapped around 240 hostages, and perpetrated horrifying sexual violence. One has to wonder if the administration simply forgot or if Israel’s plight didn’t fit neatly into their agenda.
Yes, Harris did host a screening of Sheryl Sandberg’s documentary “Screams Before Silence,” which sheds light on sexual violence, including those heinous acts by Hamas. But even that poignant imagery didn’t make it onto the sacred “fact sheet.” This puzzling omission leaves one questioning the administration’s priorities. Are harrowing accounts of Israeli women not as politically convenient to address as other global atrocities?
Despite her public acknowledgment, Harris left many scratching their heads. She spoke about Hamas’s barbaric acts, detailing horrors revealed post-October 7. Her emotional recount of bloodied Israeli women, abductions, and unspeakable atrocities by Hamas captured many imaginations. And yet, Biden and Harris still couldn’t muster the decency to feature this in their official document. Perhaps it’s all part of the elaborate smoke-and-mirrors show known as the Biden Administration.
All the gloss and grandeur of the event can’t hide the fact that the administration’s “fact sheet” is, quite conveniently, selective. Meanwhile, the House nearly unanimously condemned the vile acts committed by Hamas. This act of near solidarity even saw everyone but the Squad’s own Rep. Rashida Tlaib voting for the resolution. If only Biden and Harris could be as resolute.
