Violence-against-Women Protests across Israel following 2 Murders

Thousands condemned violence against women nationwide on Wednesday evening, October 22, following the last Monday’s murders of two women, allegedly by their spouses. Najah Mansour, 35, a mother of four, was found dead in her apartment in Kiryat Haim, north of Haifa, with signs of violence on her body. Shortly afterward her companion was found running through the streets with a knife. Two hours later in Beersheba, police found the body of 67-year-old Irina Graribnov in her apartment, after her husband allegedly beat her to death with a hammer.

Demonstrators protest violence women at Habima Square in Tel Aviv, Wednesday October 22. The red Hadash placards read "Enough murder of women."

Demonstrators protest violence women at Habima Square in Tel Aviv, Wednesday October 22. The red Hadash placards read “Enough murder of women.” (Photo: Zo Haderech)

Wednesday’s protests took place in cities around Israel, among them: Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Hadera, Ashdod, Karmiel, Holon, Kiryat Haim, Nes Ziona, Beit Shemesh, Beersheba, Ramat Gan, Petah Tikva, Kiryat Shmone, Haifa, Sderot, Acre, Netanya, Rehovot, Kfar Saba, Nazareth, Beit Shemesh and Ra’anana.

Earlier on Wednesday, approximately a hundred people gathered outside the Knesset to protest violence against women. Protesters bore signs with the names of murdered women. “We demand actions instead of excuses, and budgets instead of tweets,” said Hadash MK Aida Touma-Sliman (Joint List) to protesters. The latest wave of protests condemning violence against women comes just a day after a stormy discussion at the Knesset concerning a proposal to criminalize financial abuse between spouses and between parents and children.

According to Naila Awad, director-general of the Women against Violence organization, there has been more than a 60% rise in domestic violence cases since the coronavirus lockdowns began earlier this year. The organization received about 700 reports of domestic violence in the first half of 2020 compared to 800 reports for all of 2019.

Related: Within Two Hours, Two Women Found Murdered in Their Homes