Ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8, Israel’s first lady, Michal Herzog, has renewed her call for Hamas terrorists to be held accountable for the sexual violence they perpetrated during their massacre of 1,200 people on Oct. 7, 2023, and subsequently, against some of the 251 hostages they kidnapped that day into Gaza.

Herzog has been a key voice in bringing attention to the terrorist organization’s systematic use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, including writing an opinion piece in Newsweek in November 2023, titled “The Silence From International Bodies Over Hamas’ Mass Rapes Is a Betrayal of All Women.”

In an interview with JNS on March 5, Herzog—a lawyer and professional mediator by profession—stressed the importance of protecting women not only by fiercely defending their rights but also by helping give them the strength and courage to tell their stories.

“We have to keep talking about it not only from an Israeli point of view but from a universal perspective, protecting women in the world, because this is bound to happen in another conflict,” she said.

The first lady spoke to JNS about the changes in her role since Oct. 7, including the decision made along with her husband, President Isaac Herzog, to open the President’s Residence in Jerusalem to the people of Israel to assist them in overcoming the national trauma.

“It’s been a total change in what we do. We never thought we would see over a thousand bereaved families or that I would have an employee card at Sheba Medical Center [in Ramat Gan] because I go to visit the wounded so often,” Mrs. Herzog said.

“Meeting and supporting the hostage families as well is part of these issues that we did not expect to be dealing with, but which fill us with a sense of purpose,” she added. 

Herzog addressed allegations that some male officers in the Israel Defense Forces ignored warnings from female subordinates of an impending attack from the Gaza Strip ahead of Oct. 7 and noted the underrepresentation of women in the Knesset, noting that she has been encouraging young women to get involved.

During this turbulent time for the Jewish state, Herzog is keenly aware of the importance of her duties as a unifying force in Israeli society.

“I think the vast majority of Israelis want to put aside their disagreements, not shy away from them, we don’t have to agree on everything, but it seems the vast majority feels that they want to continue and empower our country, empower Israeli society and stick together,” she said.

Finally, she highlighted the manner in which the Jewish world has mobilized in support of Israel following the Oct. 7 terror invasion.

“My message is to keep together. I am very grateful for the involvement of Jewish communities around the world,” Herzog said. “When we work together, when we care about each other, we are the strongest and can help each other the most.”

Image - JNS/Israel’s first lady, Michal Herzog, meets Shay Dickmann (left), whose cousin Carmel Gat was murdered by Hamas in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Credit: Courtesy of the President’s Office.