"No context for terror": NYC councilwoman quits Women's caucus over Hamas treatment of Women

Vernikov, who represents parts of Brooklyn, including Brighton Beach and Gravesend, shared her reasons for quitting the caucus, emphasizing that she could not remain part of a group that failed to condemn the rape, murder, and captivity of Jewish women without trying to provide "context" for Hamas’s actions.

“I left the Women’s Caucus because I refuse to be part of a caucus that cannot come together to condemn the rape, murder, and captivity of Jewish women without adding ‘context,’” Vernikov said in a statement. She described disturbing footage of young Jewish women, recently released from Hamas captivity, visibly terrified and surrounded by masked men armed with weapons. Despite this, the Women’s Caucus, which is made up of over 30 women, did not release a clear condemnation of the terrorists or offer support for the women, according to Vernikov.

The councilwoman also questioned the silence of other women’s organizations since October 7, when the Hamas attack took place. She wondered how she could remain part of a body that was supposed to stand for women's rights and fight against abuse but failed to speak out when it came to the treatment of Jewish women by Hamas.

She further criticized the Women’s Caucus for its lack of agreement on the definition of “woman,” pointing out that one of their first initiatives was to amend bylaws to include those who identify as women.

“I will not remain in a body that refuses to acknowledge objective truths and that will only stand up for women when it's politically expedient for them,” Vernikov concluded.