Senator Welch Calls for Investigation into Sexual Violence Allegations in Middle East Prisons

• •Senator Welch formally requested that the Secretary of State investigate allegations of sexual violence in Egyptian and Israeli prisons under the Leahy Law.
• •The Leahy Law prohibits the U.S. from providing military aid or equipment to foreign security forces credibly implicated in gross human rights violations.
• •Egypt and Israel are identified as the two largest recipients of U.S. military aid.
• •Senator Welch cited reports of systemic sexual violence against prisoners in Egypt, Israel, and by Hamas militants.
• •A May 12, 2026, report by Israeli researchers concluded that sexual violence by Hamas was systematic and integral to the October 7, 2023, attack.
• •Senator Welch referenced two articles by Nicholas Kristof in the May 11, 2026, New York Times regarding sexual assault in Israeli prisons.
• •Egyptian authorities and Hamas officials have denied allegations of sexual assault by forces under their command.
• •Israeli authorities, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, have dismissed reports of sexual violence by Israeli soldiers as fabrications.

The speech calls for the potential suspension of U.S. military aid to Egypt and Israel if the Secretary of State determines that their security forces have committed human rights violations as defined by the Leahy Law.

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.