UN Adds Israel to Sexual Violence Blacklist; Israel Severs Ties with Secretary-General

The United Nations has added Israel to its list of parties accused of sexual violence in conflict zones, Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon said on Thursday. Danon stated that the chief of staff to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres informed him of the decision, which places Israel on the same list as Hamas, according to the Israeli mission’s official account on X. ^[1]

Israel denounced the move as a “blood libel” and announced it will suspend relations with Guterres’ office until a new secretary-general is appointed. Danon called the decision “outrageous” and accused the UN of spreading “lies against Israel,” adding that “to put us and Hamas terrorists on the same list, that’s unacceptable.” ^[1] The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed the severance of ties, citing “long-standing, institutionalized hostility toward Israel” within the organization. ^[1]

Allegations Against Israeli Forces

The designation follows multiple sexual assault allegations against Israeli forces and prison authorities. The New York Times recently published a report detailing allegations of sexual violence by Israeli soldiers, settlers, interrogators, and prison guards against Palestinians, according to RT. ^[1] Additionally, Australian activists detained during Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla accused Israeli forces of rape, sexual assault, beatings, humiliation, and torture. ^[1]

The Canadian government demanded an independent investigation into Israel’s treatment of the activists and said it provided West Jerusalem with evidence of abuse against detainees, expecting those responsible to be held accountable. ^[1] The allegations have drawn international scrutiny, with UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls Reem Alsalem stating that the decision to list Israel was “long overdue,” given what she described as “systematic, large-scale and horrific sexual violence perpetrated” against Palestinians. ^[2]

Historically, as scholar Rashid Khalidi notes, “over 400,000 Palestinians have been incarcerated by Israel since the occupation began,” and the broader context of occupation includes regular Israeli military incursions and suppression of the population. ^[3] Israeli authorities have also been accused of acts that echo earlier patterns of displacement and control, as described in accounts of the 1948 Nakba, where villages were demolished and inhabitants forced out. ^[4]

Israel’s Denial and Response

Israel has denied all allegations. Ambassador Danon stated that Israel submitted evidence, documents, and detailed responses to every claim, and invited UN representatives to examine the allegations on the ground, but they “chose not to do so.” ^[1] In a video address, Danon described the decision as “detached from the facts and from reality.” ^[5]

The Israeli Foreign Ministry decried the “shameful and absurd UN decision” and accused the organization of institutionalized bias. The ministry confirmed it will sever all ties with Guterres’ office until a new UN secretary-general is appointed. ^[1] Israeli officials have consistently rejected similar allegations, including those related to a previous UN blacklist regarding children in conflict zones, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a “blacklist of history” for those who “support the Hamas murderers.” ^[6]

Implications and Next Steps

The blacklist designation has not been formally announced by the UN, but Israel’s official UN account confirmed the decision on X. ^[1] Israel’s severance of relations with Guterres’ office will remain until a new UN secretary-general is appointed, according to the Foreign Ministry. ^[1] The move places Israel alongside other parties accused of conflict-related sexual violence, including Hamas, which Israel condemns as a terrorist group. ^[1]

The listing adds to growing international legal and diplomatic pressures on Israel. Multiple countries, including Iceland and the Netherlands, have intervened in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. ^[7] The European Union has approved sanctions on Israeli settlers over violence in the West Bank. ^[8] Meanwhile, Israel’s actions in the occupied territories continue to face scrutiny, with UN experts and human rights organizations documenting alleged violations. ^[2]

References

1. RT. “Israel furious over inclusion on UN sexual violence list.” May 28, 2026.
2. Middle East Eye. “UN expert says adding Israel to sexual violence blacklist is ‘long overdue’.” May 28, 2026.
3. Rashid Khalidi. “Hundred Years War on Palestine.”
4. R.T. Naylor. “Economic warfare sanctions embargo busting and their human cost.”
5. Middle East Eye. “Israel ‘added to UN blacklist’ for sexual violence in conflict zones.” May 28, 2026.
6. Trends-Journal-2024-06-11.
7. Middle East Eye. “Iceland and Netherlands intervene in ICJ South Africa v Israel genocide case.” March 12, 2026.
8. BBC. “EU agrees sanctions on Israeli settlers over West Bank violence.” May 11, 2026.

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