about the civil commission
THE CIVIL COMMISSION was founded in the wake of Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. This horrific assault resulted in more than 1,200 deaths and the kidnapping of more than 250 individuals, including women, children, infants, men, the elderly, and disabled people. The heinous acts of murder, torture, rape, gender-based violence and abduction spurred the immediate formation of the Civil Commission, under the auspices of the Dvora Institute for Gender and Sustainability Studies, an independent non-profit organization. The Commission's goal is to document and raise international awareness of the war crimes and gender-based violence committed by Hamas and their collaborators against women, children and families.
Under the leadership of human rights law and international law expert Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy, the 2024 Israel Prize laureate for her relentless advocacy against these atrocities, the Civil Commission's mission is to amplify their voices in the international arena and challenge the ensuing denial.
Achievements
Soon after the atrocities occurred the Civil Commission met with prominent leaders, including the White House senior staff on gender policy. These resulted in several historical statements of recognition and support for the victims of Oct. 7th. Dr. Elkayam-Levy was an honorary guest of the French Delegation to the UN at the 2024 Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), where she focused on raising awareness about the sexual atrocities that occurred on October 7th. She was also involved in Sheryl Sandberg's documentary "Screams Before Silence," which further highlights these critical issues.
raising awareness
Since October 7th, the Civil Commission has led a global campaign to raise awareness for the victims, ensuring their voices are heard through interviews with leading international media platforms. These efforts have been highlighted in prominent outlets such as CNN, The Washington Post, The New York Times, NBC News, Bloomberg, and AFP, generating over a thousand articles with a potential global reach in the billions.
archive
The Civil Commission is gathering testimonies and has established an archive to document and research the war crimes committed by Hamas on Oct 7th and during captivity. This archive serves as both a memorial to the victims and a vital historical record, laying the groundwork for future prosecutions and academic research on the crimes committed on and following October 7, 2023.
The Civil Commission is committed to collecting, researching and sharing credible information in Israel and globally. The growing archive includes a comprehensive collection of digital materials, testimonies, and other crucial material, all maintained to the highest ethical standards as outline in the Commission’s Code of Ethics.
Team
Today the Civil Commission, headed by Adv. Merav Israeli-Amarant, comprises over 40 employees and volunteers, including lawyers, forensic experts, researchers, gender-based violence experts, tech experts (cybersecurity, etc.), testimony collectors, trauma experts, and copyright and privacy experts. The Commission’s archive and documentation division is headed by Adv. Elinor Kroitoru, former deputy director of the Yad Vashem archive. Adv. Irit Gazit, a long-time advocate for victims of sexual violence and children at risk, plays a key role in the collection of materials and testimonies. The archive's work is vital for preserving the historical record, supporting future prosecutions and academic research, and countering the global denial of these atrocities. Nirit Samocha oversees the development of the archive's infrastructure and technological systems and spearheads the Commission’s partnerships with high-tech giants such as Microsoft, Wix, and others to ensure infrastructure, security, and data maintenance.
research
The Civil Commission's research is overseen by Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy, the Commission’s founder and a renowned human rights expert unit along with prominent internationally renowned academic experts. Led by Dr. Ilya Rudyak, who plays a vital role in analyzing and interpreting the extensive archive of materials collected since October 7, 2023 and guided by Senior Research Fellow Dr. Michal Gat Gilad, the unit is dedicated to meticulously investigating the documented war crimes, compiling comprehensive reports, and contributing to the broader academic discourse on these atrocities. Through their efforts, the research unit ensures that the truth of these events is preserved and that the voices of the victims continue to resonate on the international stage.
Leadership
The ongoing process, which will span years, aims to establish a definitive record similar to a 'Holocaust archive' of these war crimes. With the invaluable support of our Board led by Einat Reich and Rabbi Tamar Elad Appelbaum and the Advisory Board—featuring leaders such as Sheryl Sandberg and Prof. Irwin Cotler—and the dedication of countless individuals and Jewish communities worldwide, the Civil Commission has significantly raised international awareness and forged partnerships with global entities to bring these atrocities to light. The Commission's efforts are backed by the Shusterman Foundation, The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, UJA-Federation of New York, The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, The Jewish Federation of Boston, JFNA, The Arev Fund, The Gottesman Fund, The German Embassy, and many others. These collaborations and the unwavering support of our partners are crucial to our mission of giving a voice to the victims and ensuring justice and accountability.