Israel ‘added to UN blacklist’ for sexual violence in conflict zones

Israel has been added to the United Nations’ blacklist for sexual violence in conflict zones, the country’s ambassador to the UN said on Thursday.

Danny Danon condemned the decision as “political” and “detached from the facts and from reality”.

The move follows multiple reports by human rights organisations and media outlets – including Middle East Eye – documenting allegations of rape and other forms of sexual violence by Israeli forces against Palestinians since October 2023.

According to the Jerusalem Post, which first reported the listing, the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) will be included in the 2026 blacklist, while other Israeli bodies remain under monitoring for possible future inclusion.

In response, Israel has frozen relations with the office of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, according to the Jerusalem Post. 

The blacklist forms part of the annex to the UN secretary-general’s annual report on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV). 

It identifies parties credibly suspected of committing patterns of rape or other forms of sexual violence during armed conflict.

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