An Israeli expert leading a civilian commission into the sexual violence committed by Hamas is calling for the world to acknowledge a new form of warfare: violence targeted at families. This concept, which she refers to as “kinocide”, seeks to define a specific form of violence used to destroy families as part of a deliberate strategy to terrorise individuals. Cochav Elkayam-Levy, an international law professor at Hebrew University and chair of the Civil Commission on October 7 Crimes Against Women and Children, is advocating for the international community to recognise this new crime against humanity.
In her push for justice, Elkayam-Levy stresses the importance of holding all perpetrators accountable—whether they are Hamas militants committing sexual violence against Israeli women and children, or Israeli soldiers accused of similar acts against Palestinians. Elkayam-Levy’s message is clear: there should be no false equivalence when it comes to seeking justice for these horrific acts. She believes that both Israelis and Palestinians deserve justice, and it is crucial to approach this issue with moral clarity and without bias.
What is ‘Kinocide’ and Why Is it Important?
Elkayam-Levy introduced the term kinocide to describe a pattern of violence that targets families. She proposes that this be recognised as a distinct war crime, aimed at terrorising individuals through the destruction of their familial ties and inflicting trauma that lasts for generations. According to Elkayam-Levy, this violence is not just about individual acts of cruelty but about destroying the very fabric of a family, making it a weapon of war with long-lasting consequences.
In her research, Elkayam-Levy and her team reviewed numerous videos and testimonies from victims and witnesses of Hamas attacks. They discovered alarming patterns, including:
- The use of social media to broadcast torture: Victims were often filmed being tortured and their suffering shared with friends and family.
- Murder in front of family members: Parents were murdered in front of their children, or vice versa, creating immense psychological trauma.
- Destruction of family homes: Entire families were displaced or killed through the destruction of their homes, further deepening the violence.
Elkayam-Levy’s groundbreaking research has led her to believe that kinocide should be formally recognised in international law as a specific crime. This would allow the world to understand the unique nature of this violence, acknowledge its long-term impact on victims, and hold perpetrators accountable. Elkayam-Levy points out that, like gender-based violence, which was only recognised by the United Nations in 1992, kinocide needs to be given a name to ensure victims are not ignored.
The Importance of Moral Clarity in Global Justice
Elkayam-Levy has expressed concern over the lack of moral clarity from international bodies, particularly in their response to the sexual violence committed by Hamas. While organisations like the United Nations have been slow to condemn these atrocities, Elkayam-Levy calls for a stronger stance. She insists that global bodies must unequivocally condemn acts of sexual violence, regardless of the perpetrator.
One critical example of this delay in response was the fact that UN Women did not officially condemn Hamas’ sexual violence until nearly two months after the October 2023 attack. Elkayam-Levy argues that this prolonged silence not only set a poor precedent but also allowed denial of the violence to persist.
Further complicating matters, social media users have demanded forensic evidence of the attacks in an often antisemitic manner, ignoring the chaotic circumstances in which many victims were killed and buried. Elkayam-Levy explains that forensic evidence could not be preserved due to the overwhelming violence and destruction of the initial attack.
While sexual violence committed by Hamas against Israeli civilians is a significant issue, Elkayam-Levy stresses that the same moral clarity should be applied to situations involving Israeli soldiers. Human rights organisations have long raised concerns about sexual violence committed by Israeli officials against Palestinian detainees. The key, according to Elkayam-Levy, is not to draw a false parallel between individual acts of sexual violence by soldiers and the systematic use of sexual violence by Hamas as a weapon of war.
A Call for Justice for All Victims
Elkayam-Levy urges Canadians, and the international community, to demand justice not only for Israeli victims of sexual violence but also for Palestinian victims of similar violence, regardless of the perpetrator. Canada, as part of its feminist foreign policy, has been slow to address these issues, particularly when it comes to Hamas’ actions. Elkayam-Levy calls for Canada to stand firm and support justice for both Israeli and Palestinian women, as well as all victims of war-related sexual violence.
The expert emphasises that both Israel and Palestine need to be held accountable for crimes committed by their forces, and that justice must be pursued for all. She cautions that without clear moral leadership, the world risks creating a “moral blur” that allows for the exploitation of victims and a continued denial of atrocities.
The Need for Action in International Law
The concept of kinocide also calls for a deeper reflection on international law and its application to modern conflicts. Elkayam-Levy points out that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has so far not adequately recognised the targeting of families as a specific war crime. This gap in international law prevents victims from receiving the justice and recognition they deserve, as their trauma is often overlooked or underestimated.
In her work, Elkayam-Levy is not only pushing for the creation of a new term but also advocating for a shift in how international institutions handle conflicts that involve these types of violent tactics. She fears that without proper accountability, future conflicts could see more groups adopting these brutal tactics, perpetuating the cycle of violence.
Conclusion: The Urgency of Global Recognition and Justice
Elkayam-Levy’s work highlights a critical gap in the international understanding of war crimes. Kinocide, the deliberate targeting of families through sexual violence and terror, must be recognised as a distinct and grave crime against humanity. This recognition is vital for the healing of victims and the pursuit of justice in conflicts around the world.
The international community must step up to condemn Hamas’ actions and hold Israeli forces accountable for any violations of international law. By applying moral clarity, we can ensure that all victims of sexual violence are recognised and that perpetrators are held accountable, regardless of their affiliation.
Relevant Links for Further Reading:
- Cochav Elkayam-Levy’s Civil Commission on October 7 Crimes
- UN Women and Their Role in Addressing Sexual Violence
- Kinocide and its Role in International Law
- Human Rights Concerns in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Photo credit: The Times of Israel
