In an important meeting with Major General (Res.) Tamir Hayman, Director of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), and Dr. Idit Shafran-Gittleman, we presented the report. During the meeting, the main findings and models examined were presented, emphasizing the severe lack of preparedness of various response systems, especially regarding aspects of severe sexual crimes. Our position was presented, stating the necessity to recognize the changing nature of terrorism reflected in this action, and it was proposed to accept our definition of the events of October 7 as a raid terror event.
There was broad agreement on the immediate need for official and systemic recognition of the crimes committed, not only as severe acts of terrorism but also as crimes of a sexual nature, requiring unique, methodological, and sensitive attention. Emphasis was placed on the need to build knowledge infrastructures, tools, and processes to effectively deal with similar scenarios in the future — in the military, security, and civilian arenas alike.
The meeting yielded two main actions: 1. Holding a follow-up meeting with the Head of the Doctrine and Training Division to integrate the issue into the debriefing and training processes of special units, focusing on the identification, documentation, and response to sexual crimes occurring during a terrorist attack; 2. A meeting with a terrorism expert to professionally review the report and assist in connecting with relevant entities in the security system and the research arena.
This meeting marks another milestone in the struggle for recognition, accountability, and rectification, and it constitutes an important step toward the full integration of this humanistic and gendered aspect into Israel’s security protocols.
