* Some 200,000 Israeli women are currently living in violent settings

* Dozens of women have been killed by their partners or family members since the beginning of the year

President Rivlin to the award recipients:

“Adi, Shiri – you did not turn a blind eye. You took responsibility and saved lives. Your act of heroism, each of you, is a ray of light into great darkness. It is my honor, in the last year of my presidency, to host this very important award.”

President Rivlin:

“Violence is not just a punch. Violence is the power of words to humiliate and ridicule. Violence is manipulation, shouting, whispered insults. And violence can be expressed in limiting the freedom of women, limiting their ability to choose, limiting their ability to manage their money and their lives as they wish.”

“We must do it through legislation and law enforcement, through education and public information, through welfare services and treatment – both for the victims of violence against women and for violent men. Amongst other things, passing the budget required for the national plan to fight violence against women should be done as quickly as possible!”     

Marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, President of Israel Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin today, Wednesday 25 November / 9 Kislev, hosted an award ceremony to honor Adi Guzi and Shiri Mandelbaum, women who helped women victims of assault. The prize was awarded by Minister for Social Equality Meirav Cohen, and Director General of the Authority to Advance the Status of Women Eva Madjiboj also participated in the event.

Adi, from Mitzpeh Ramon, saved Shira Iskov from her partner who brutally attacked her in front of their infant son. Shiri, a social worker, worked with Anastasia Klein ז"ל during her hospitalization following her alleged rape and abuse by her partner. When the partner showed up at hospital, Shiri became suspicious. Showing great resource, she prevented him from attacking Anastasia as he intended, while she was fighting for her life. For this reason, the two women were given the award and official recognition of their bravery in saving the lives of women who faced the threat of domestic violence.”

“For too many women, home is a hell. Home is fear. It is tense silence that could turn into threats, humiliation, the next beating,” said the president.

“Violence is not just a punch. Violence is the power of words to humiliate and ridicule. Violence is manipulation, shouting, whispered insults. And violence can be expressed in limiting the freedom of women, limiting their ability to choose, limiting their ability to manage their money and their lives as they wish,” he added. “We must not turn a blind eye to the plague of violence against women. We m not wait until the plague passes, until we find the vaccine. We must give our women and children a social safety net to keep them safe – today. Everywhere. In any event.”

“We must do it through legislation and law enforcement, through education and public information, through welfare services and treatment – both for the victims of violence against women and for violent men. Amongst other things, passing the budget required for the national plan to fight violence against women should be done as quickly as possible!”    

The president expressed his appreciation for the awardees, saying, “We are here to honor the acts of civic heroism of two women who did not remain silent in the face of violence, and saved lives. “Adi, Shiri – you did not turn a blind eye. You took responsibility and saved lives. Your act of heroism, each of you, is a ray of light into great darkness. We still have a long way to go, as a society, to inoculate ourselves against violence against women. But acts of heroism like these, women like you, fill our hearts with hope and inspiration. It is my honor, in the last year of my presidency, to host this very important award. I hope that from now on, Beit HaNasi will be an open and attentive place for those brave men and women who fight violence against women. Thank you.”

Minister of Social Equality Meirav Cohen MK: “Domestic violence and violence against women is terrorism. And we must deal with it like we deal with terrorism – decisively, with all our strength and without compromise. The responsibility falls, of course, on the government. It is the government’s job to ensure the safety and security of its citizens and resident, not just on our national borders and public spaces, but also at home, which is supposed to be the safest of all spaces. Because terrorism is terrorism is terrorism, outside or at home. But we, as people and as a society, also have a responsibility. And this is the message we have chosen to focus on at today’s important event marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.”

Director General of the Authority for Advancing the Status of Women Eva Madjiboj: “Violence against women is to be found all sectors of society and is a severe problem that requires fundamental, urgent and profound treatment. Violence is expressed in a range of ways: physical, sexual, economic, mental. Women who suffer domestic violence experience humiliation, pain and anxiety to the point of dehumanization. Sometimes, it takes years for women to have the courage to bring up and talk about the terrible abuse they have suffered and to take decisive action to end it. A healthy society must encourage those who seek to eliminate violence against women and not stand by, turning a blind eye.”

Relevant hotline numbers:

Ministry of Social Welfare and Social Affairs (all languages): 118

Silent Ministry of Social Welfare and Social Affairs emergency SMS line: 055-7000128

Na’amat 24/7 line with specialist social workers: *9201

NO/Onlife (all languages): *6724

Bat Melech: 1-800- 292-333

WIZO line for violent men: 1-800-393-904

Emergency line for Arab women: 04-6566813

Na’am – Arab women in the center of the country: 08-9965008

Photo credit: Mark Neyman (GPO)

Photo L to R - Shiri Mandelbaum, President Rivlin, Minister Meirav Cohen, Adi Guzi