Senator and bipartisan colleagues also called on the U.N. Secretary General to hold the U.N. Women’s leadership accountable for its 57-day delay in condemning acts of sexual violence committed by Hamas
WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema and a bipartisan coalition of U.S. senators called on U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres to launch an independent investigation into sexual violence committed by Hamas. Sinema and her bipartisan group of colleagues also called on Secretary General Guterres to hold the leadership of U.N. Women accountable for its 57-day delay in condemning acts of sexual violence committed by Hamas.
“Sexual violence, particularly on this scale and of this level of brutality, must always be condemned unequivocally and without qualification, which is why we were shocked that it took U.N. Women nearly two months to even speak out against these atrocities… U.N. Women’s failure to publicly stand up for Israeli women undermines its legitimacy and contributes to the outrageous effort by some to dismiss, downplay, or outright deny these atrocities,” wrote Sinema and her colleagues.
Click HERE to read Sinema and her colleagues’ letter.
Sinema, a social worker who also earned her Ph.D. in Justice Studies from Arizona State University, unequivocally and firmly supports Israel’s right to exist and defend itself against terrorism and evil. Sinema recently discussed with Arizona AIPAC actions she is taking in the U.S. Senate to support Israel as it combats and roots out terrorists.
In her first hearing as a new member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sinema questioned U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin about the need to pass a bipartisan national security package supporting Israel, helping Ukraine beat Putin, and securing Arizona’s border.
The Senator has previously called on the U.N. Security Council to designate Hamas as a terrorist organization and impose sanctions against Hamas. Identifying actions to hold the Iranian regime – one of Hamas’ largest supporters – accountable, Sinema recently introduced the bipartisan Revoke Iranian Funding Act. This bipartisan legislation freezes $6 billion in Iranian assets held in Qatar. The bill also directs the U.S. Treasury Secretary to study all high-value Iranian assets around the world currently blocked by U.S. sanctions and report these findings to Congress – that way, Sinema and her colleagues have the information needed to enact further targeted legislation if necessary.
Following the terrorist attacks against Israel, Sinema urged President Biden to quickly transfer requested air defense systems to Israel as it defends itself against terrorism.
Throughout her time in Congress, Sinema has consistently voted to strengthen America’s commitment to Israel, and ensure Israel is fully equipped to defend itself against its enemies. Sinema’s first vote as Arizona’s senior Senator was to vote for the Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act, affirming the friendship between America and Israel.