Achievements
Achievements
A roadmap for achieving recognition and responsibility – removing the loophole that provides impunity from punishment for crimes of conflict related sexual violence
For the first time, the most important UN forum on women’s issues was presented with the challenges involved in prosecuting crimes of conflict related sexual violence (CRSV) and the ways of these are addressed according to international law, in the wake of the October 7 test case.
The event organizers convened international law experts, policymakers, and professionals in the field of CRSV who participated in an in-depth and productive discussion and shared their professional experience with the aim of facilitating criminal prosecution in such cases.
Conference on Sexual Violence as a Weapon of War on October 7
Co-convened by the Hadassah-Brandeis Institute at Brandeis University and the Dinah Project at Bar-Ilan University’s Rackman Center, the conference examined various dimensions of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), starting with the legal framework developed by the Dinah Project’s research on the events of October 7 and during the hostages’ captivity. Experts from several disciplines expanded on phenomena of CRSV in Israel and in other conflict zones such as Kosovo, Rwanda, and Ukraine.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Alice Edwards, former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture. Dr. Edwards drew on her experience in that role to discuss dilemmas and challenges that arise in the UN’s work, including the use of sexual violence and hostage-taking as methods of torture.
The first panel, “International Perspectives on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence”, surveyed cases of sexual violence used as a weapon of war and examined how they were addressed in the different locations. The second panel, “Silence and Denial: Legal, Social and Media Dimensions”, examined patterns of silence and denial surrounding conflict-related sexual violence, including in relation to October 7 and during the hostages’ captivity. The third panel, “Radical Ideologies and Joint Responsibility”, explored how radical ideologies can underpin the use of conflict-related and other sexual violence.
The fourth panel, “A Quest for Justice: October 7 and Beyond”, brought together members of the Dinah Project team at the Rackman Center at Bar-Ilan University and other legal experts. The panel examined legal responses to conflict-related sexual violence and discussed the solutions proposed by the Dinah Project in their book ‘A Quest for Justice: October 7 and Beyond’.
Conference on Sexual Violence as a Weapon of War on October 7
Co-convened by the Hadassah-Brandeis Institute at Brandeis University and the Dinah Project at Bar-Ilan University’s Rackman Center, the conference examined various dimensions of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), starting with the legal framework developed by the Dinah Project’s research on the events of October 7 and during the hostages’ captivity. Experts from several disciplines expanded on phenomena of CRSV in Israel and in other conflict zones such as Kosovo, Rwanda, and Ukraine.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Alice Edwards, former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture. Dr. Edwards drew on her experience in that role to discuss dilemmas and challenges that arise in the UN’s work, including the use of sexual violence and hostage-taking as methods of torture.
The first panel, “International Perspectives on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence”, surveyed cases of sexual violence used as a weapon of war and examined how they were addressed in the different locations. The second panel, “Silence and Denial: Legal, Social and Media Dimensions”, examined patterns of silence and denial surrounding conflict-related sexual violence, including in relation to October 7 and during the hostages’ captivity. The third panel, “Radical Ideologies and Joint Responsibility”, explored how radical ideologies can underpin the use of conflict-related and other sexual violence.
The fourth panel, “A Quest for Justice: October 7 and Beyond”, brought together members of the Dinah Project team at the Rackman Center at Bar-Ilan University and other legal experts. The panel examined legal responses to conflict-related sexual violence and discussed the solutions proposed by the Dinah Project in their book ‘A Quest for Justice: October 7 and Beyond’.
Awards and Recognition
Awarded the 2025 Transparency Shield by Transparency International Israel
The Transparency Shield is awarded in recognition of the endeavors of organizations or individuals who initiated or consistently strove to promote norms of transparency, integrity, honesty, ethics, and accountability, disseminating and acting upon them in a variety of civil society fields in both the public and private sectors.
The choice to award the Transparency Shield to the Dinah Project represents acknowledgement of the importance of the Project’s work as part of its struggle for recognition and achievement of justice for the victims of sexual violence committed on October 7, and of its contribution in promoting Transparency International Israel’s underlying values and norms.
2016
The 2026 Ilia Salita JFN Excellence in Research Award (ERA)
October 7 and Beyond’ for its in-depth factual analysis and the practical avenues it outlines for the study, supporting legal efforts and policy which will facilitate prosecution of terrorists for use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. The study provides tools that can assist the Jewish community and the international community in building a robust and reliable factual database of the atrocities and in striving to achieve justice for the victims.
The award, established by Genesis Philanthropy Group (GPG) in memory of their late CEO and President Ilia Salita Z”L, and now administered by JFN, grants USD 15,000 annually to innovative and practical research that addresses contemporary Jewish issues. The 2026 award was presented at the JFN International Conference in San Diego.
Additional Activities
June 2025 Launch of the original English edition of the book
The launch event of the original English edition of the book ‘A Quest for Justice: October 7 and Beyond’ was held at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem under the patronage of the President’s wife, Ms. Michal Herzog and was attended by a large number of diplomats, government officials, civil society representatives, philanthropists, and media outlets.
During the evening, which was moderated by Ms. Tali Lipkin-Shahak, the President’s wife delivered a moving speech and poet Sivan Har-Shefi read the poem that serves as the book’s motto. In the panel held with the book’s authors, hostage survivor Ilana Grichevsky candidly described the sexual assaults she endured and gave voice to the anguished cry of the hostages, the victims of atrocities, and her partner, Matan Zangauker, who was then still being held hostage in Gaza.
This heart-rending event received widespread coverage, both in Israel and overseas, with over 1,000 mentions. Approximately a month later, the UN Secretary General decided to include Hamas on the blacklist of terror organizations that use sexual violence as a weapon of war.
August 2026 Launch of the Hebrew edition of the book at Tel Aviv Museum of Art – in conjunction with Fauda
The launch event of the updated Hebrew edition of the book ‘A Quest for Justice: October 7 and Beyond’ was held at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art in conjunction with the ‘Fauda’ series produced by ‘Yes’. The panel discussion led by Nurit Jacobs-Yinon, with the participation of Att. Col (Res.) Sharon Zagagi-Pinhas and (Ret.) Judge Nava Bar-Or, alongside actress Dafi Shoshana Alpern and director and screenwriter Omri Givon, was followed by the screening of two episodes from the 5th season of ‘Fauda’, dedicated to the sexual assaults which occurred on October 7.
November 2026 The Campaign for Recognition of the October 7 Sexual Crimes Arrives in Berlin
Three years after October 7, 2023 the campaign for international recognition of the sexual crimes committed by Hamas arrives in Germany.
As part of Berlin Freedom Week, (Ret.) Justice Nava Ben-Or, a co-founder of the Dinah Project and one of the authors of ‘A Quest for Justice: October 7 and Beyond’, took part in the launch of the book’s German edition. The launch event was organized by the American Jewish Committee’s Berlin office and was attended by Elke Büdenbender, the wife of Germany’s president, who addressed the participants.
Ben-Or presented the book, which examines the unique legal challenges involved in holding Hamas perpetrators accountable for sexual crimes committed during the October 7 attacks and against hostages in captivity, and in securing international recognition of these crimes.
The German translation of the book plays an extremely important role in promoting awareness and public discussion in Germany, as part of the ongoing campaign for international recognition of the sexual crimes committed by Hamas terrorists on October 7.
May 2024 Prof. Ruth Halperin-Kaddari's briefing at a special session of UN Security Council
Prof. Ruth Halperin-Kaddari was invited by the US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield to address a special session of the UN Security Council initiated by the US delegation as part of the Arria formula meetings, which was dedicated to the abduction and holding of hostage during the October 7 attack:
November 2023 Private meeting with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights – a closed session for the diplomatic community at the UN Headquarters, Geneva
About 6 weeks after the October 7 attack, Prof. Ruth Halperin-Kaddari conducted a 48 hour visit to the UN Headquarters in Geneva during which she held more than 10 meetings, briefings, media interviews and lectures with a series of ambassadors and deputy ambassadors as well as representatives of the World Health organization, including special reports of the Human Rights High Commissioner and others. The focal point of the visit was the closed session attended by approximately 40 ambassadors, and a private meeting with High Commissioner Mr. Volker Türk. Two weeks later, the High Commissioner issued a statement in which he referred to information about the sexual assaults perpetrated by Hamas and called for a comprehensive investigation.
This visit was the diplomatic community’s first exposure to credible information on the sexual violence crimes committed as part of the October 7 massacre, and to a legal analysis that frames them as crimes against humanity.