O7J: The Continued Pursuit of Justice for Victims.
“We will never give up — October 7 was a day of darkness – but through justice, we can shine a light that reaches beyond borders.” says Yael Vias Gvirsman – October 7 Justice Without Borders (O7J) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing pro bono legal representation to survivors and families affected by the atrocities committed on October 7.
The organization is spearheading legal actions against Hamas and its accomplices across multiple jurisdictions. With a mission to establish a Nuremberg-style precedent against terrorism, O7J is led by Yael Vias Gvirsman, an experienced international criminal law attorney with over 20 years of prosecuting crimes against humanity. Yael Vias Gvirsman, an attorney-at-law at the Israeli Bar, has extensive experience in international law, having worked as a director at Radzyner Law School and an independent lawyer specializing in national litigation. She has also worked at international law departments at MFA, MOJ, UNHCR, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem. Gvirsman is currently a PhD candidate in International Criminal Law and holds masters in French, English, and Hebrew. She has spoken at international conferences in Israel, South Africa, the Netherlands, the US, and Germany, focusing on the peace goal, the legitimacy of the international criminal court, and the role of the International Criminal Tribunal in establishing the narrative of genocide in Rwanda.
The primary mission of her organization, O7J, is to ensure that justice for the victims of the October 7 massacre transcends national boundaries. The organization aims to anchor the truth in legal procedures rather than social media narratives, providing a platform for victims to seek justice on an international scale. O7J is currently representing over 400 victims and plans to onboard an additional 400 into five civil lawsuits against states supporting terrorism, financial institutions enabling terror, and organizations like UNRWA.
The October 7 Atrocities Background.
The October 7 massacre was a devastating event that resulted in numerous casualties and left thousands of victims in its wake. Survivors of attacks on southern Israeli communities, bereaved families, and hostages with their families are among those who seek justice. The atrocities committed on this day have prompted a global response, with O7J at the forefront of legal actions to hold perpetrators accountable.
Yael Vias Gvirsman, the founder of O7J, brings a wealth of experience from her work in international tribunals in Rwanda, Sudan, and The Hague. Her expertise in prosecuting crimes against humanity is instrumental in guiding the organization’s efforts to pursue justice for the victims of the October 7 massacre. Vias Gvirsman’s commitment to this cause is both personal and professional, as she seeks to bring justice home to Israel.
Legal Proceedings & International Legal Principles.
October 7 Justice Without Borders (O7J) has initiated legal actions in various jurisdictions, including the International Criminal Court (ICC), Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Israel. The organization uses international legal principles like universal jurisdiction to prosecute crimes regardless of the location or the accused’s nationality. This allows O7J to bring cases forward in various countries, ensuring global accountability. The organization coordinates with global prosecutors to create a comprehensive legal response that matches the international nature of the crimes committed on October 7, 2023.
O7J’s legal proceedings include criminal prosecutions before the ICC and national courts, civil litigation against states and corporate entities accused of funding or enabling Hamas, and gathering and preserving evidence of war crimes, including sexual violence and torture. Their approach is victim-centered, providing pro bono representation to survivors, hostages, and bereaved families.
O7J’s multi-jurisdictional legal efforts utilize international legal principles like universal jurisdiction to pursue both criminal and civil cases worldwide, targeting individuals and entities responsible for or complicit in the October 7 atrocities.
Survivor Empowerment.
Pro Bono Representation & Restorative Justice.
A fundamental pillar of O7J’s mission is providing pro bono legal representation to survivors and their families. By removing financial barriers, O7J ensures that victims of the October 7 atrocities have equitable access to expert legal support. This commitment empowers survivors to actively pursue justice and hold perpetrators accountable, regardless of their economic circumstances. O7J embraces a restorative justice approach, recognizing that the legal process serves more than just punitive purposes. Through legal proceedings, victims are given the opportunity to clearly distinguish right from wrong and have their rights formally acknowledged. This process helps provide emotional closure and validation, fostering healing by restoring dignity and recognizing the suffering endured. O7J believes that justice is a vital part of the recovery journey, offering survivors recognition and a renewed sense of empowerment.
Evidence Gathering & Preservation.
War Crimes Documentation, ICC Involvement, Lawsuits Against UNRWA.
October 7 Justice Without Borders (O7J) is deeply engaged in evidence gathering and preservation related to the October 7 atrocities, focusing on documenting war crimes such as extermination, torture, and sexual violence. This meticulous collection of evidence is vital for building strong legal cases to hold perpetrators accountable across multiple jurisdictions. A significant outcome of O7J’s efforts is the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) issuance of an arrest warrant for a senior Hamas commander, which explicitly cites evidence gathered by the organization. This highlights the crucial role that thorough documentation plays in enabling international legal institutions to pursue justice effectively. In addition to criminal prosecutions, O7J is actively pursuing civil litigation against entities such as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and financial institutions accused of indirectly enabling Hamas.
These lawsuits aim to hold organizations accountable for their complicity in facilitating terrorism and to secure reparations for victims. O7J’s multi-jurisdictional legal strategy leverages international legal principles, including universal jurisdiction, to ensure a global response to these crimes. Their work includes coordinating with prosecutors, preserving victim testimonies, and compiling visual and documentary evidence to support both criminal and civil proceedings O7J’s comprehensive approach to war crimes documentation, ICC collaboration, and civil litigation forms a robust framework to advance justice for victims of the October 7 atrocities and to hold all responsible parties accountable worldwide.
Challenges & Strategies.
Financial Needs, Fundraising Efforts, Non-Political Stance.
O7J faces significant legal challenges in its pursuit of justice, including jurisdictional complexities, evidence requirements, and accountability of diverse actors. To overcome these challenges, O7J employs multi-jurisdictional litigation, collaborations with international prosecutors, robust evidence gathering, and victim-centered representation. To continue its critical work, O7J urgently needs to raise $356,000, relying entirely on donations and philanthropic support. Contributions are tax-deductible under Section 501(c)(3) in the United States and Section 46A in Israel via Matan, Israel’s Association for Gifted Philanthropy. O7J maintains a strict non-political stance, focusing exclusively on providing legal representation to victims and building evidence-based cases. This ensures that the organization’s work remains dedicated to justice and accountability without political bias or influence.
Case Studies: The cases of Shani Louk, and, Nira Shpak.
Shani Nicole Louk was a 22-year-old German-Israeli tattoo artist and influencer who was killed during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack at the Re’im music festival near the Gaza border. After her death, her desecrated body was paraded publicly by Hamas militants in Gaza, a harrowing image that became emblematic of the brutality of the attack. Her family, represented by October 7 Justice Without Borders (O7J), is working to ensure that Shani’s legacy is remembered for her artistry and spirit rather than the viral footage of her suffering. Her body was recovered by Israeli forces in May 2024 and buried in her hometown of Srigim, Israel, following a long period of uncertainty and mourning. Her family’s engagement with O7J underscores the organization’s commitment to dignified representation and justice for victims of atrocities.
Nira Shpak, a lieutenant colonel in the Israeli reserves, is known as the “Hero of Kfar Aza” for her remarkable resilience and leadership during and after the October 7 attacks. She took command from her home, directing Israel Defense Forces troops and coordinating defense efforts under siege. Her story is emblematic of the survivors from Kfar Aza, a kibbutz devastated by the attack, where over 60 residents were killed and many taken hostage. Nira has become a leading figure in advocating for her community’s psychological and physical recovery, testifying internationally and pushing for recognition of the atrocities committed. Her experience highlights the type of survivor O7J supports, individuals who have endured extreme trauma yet actively contribute to their communities’ defense and recovery. Her leadership and resilience underscore the importance of comprehensive legal and psychological support for survivors of terror attacks, helping them reclaim agency and rebuild their lives.
Global Impact & Challenges.
Antisemitism & Societal Trauma.
The October 7 massacre has heightened antisemitism and caused significant societal trauma. The organization, O7J, seeks justice for victims, fosters community solidarity, and raises awareness about the human cost of terrorism and the importance of upholding human rights globally. O7J’s work is rooted in global cooperation, involving close collaboration with international prosecutors, legal experts, and institutions like the International Criminal Court (ICC). This partnership is crucial for building strong, multi-jurisdictional legal cases, pooling expertise and resources to effectively document and prosecute crimes against humanity, ensuring accountability in line with international legal standards, and promoting a unified global response to terrorism and mass atrocities. O7J’s comprehensive approach not only seeks justice through the courts but also contributes to healing fractured communities and strengthening international legal frameworks against impunity.
The O7J Principle: A Moral Duty to Pursue Justice Without End.
The October 7 massacre has heightened antisemitism and caused significant societal trauma. The organization, O7J, seeks justice for victims, fosters community solidarity, and raises awareness about the human cost of terrorism and the importance of upholding human rights globally. O7J’s work is rooted in global cooperation, involving close collaboration with international prosecutors, legal experts, and institutions like the International Criminal Court (ICC). This partnership is crucial for building strong, multi-jurisdictional legal cases, pooling expertise and resources to effectively document and prosecute crimes against humanity, ensuring accountability in line with international legal standards, and promoting a unified global response to terrorism and mass atrocities. O7J’s comprehensive approach not only seeks justice through the courts but also contributes to healing fractured communities and strengthening international legal frameworks against impunity.