Jewish Women’s Aid held an event to mark International Women’s Day and to launch its new Ripple Effect campaign.
MP Alex Davies-Jones, the Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls, received a standing ovation from Jewish Women’s Aid (JWA) supporters at an event in March, as she condemned Hamas “war crimes” and criticised women’s groups for failing to condemn sexual violence against Israelis on October 7th.
The Labour MP for Pontypridd made the comments at a JWA event held to mark International Women’s Day and launch the charity’s Ripple Effect campaign, highlighting the far-reaching impact of domestic abuse. At the event, she praised JWA’s work, as the only specialist service for Jewish women and children affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence.
Alex – who wore a yellow ribbon pin at the event, in support of Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza – also called out antisemitism. She praised JWA for supporting UK Jewish women affected by domestic abuse and antisemitism across the country – and also commended the charity for raising awareness of sexual violence carried out by the Hamas terror group in October 2023.
Addressing a JWA fundraising event, she said: “These were acts of exceptional brutality,” she said, adding: “These were war crimes carried out in a systemic and pre-emptive manner. But these were atrocities which the world – including those supposedly committed to human rights and the safety of women and girls – has decided to downplay and ignored.
Here in the UK, Jewish Women’s Aid stands virtually alone among charities dedicated to combating violence against women and girls in speaking out against Hamas’ brutality.”
She added: “It is difficult to escape the conclusion that the denial, disinformation and disbelief surrounding Hamas’ atrocities stems directly from the nationality of the victims. This is, of course, devastating to the community, and will have, and has had repercussions for the Jewish victims here in the UK. I want you to know that I believe you, and I will always believe you. I will stand up for the victims and survivors of any race, religion or culture.”
At the event, the Labour MP also revealed that her maternal grandmother moved to south Wales from London – where she had changed her surname from “Mordechai” to “Mort” – to avoid antisemitism.
Addressing anti-Jewish hatred and its impact on the community, MP Alex Davies-Jones said: “I always have been and always will be a strong ally to the Jewish community and to Jewish Women’s Aid. This organisation brings together two of the most devastating issues that urgently need tackling in our society today, antisemitism and violence against women and girls both have an endemic impact on survivors up and down the country and around the world.”
She added: “Jewish women face unique barriers, cultural stigma, community pressures, and recently, sadly, rising antisemitism, I have proudly seen first-hand the incredible work that JWA does.”
