Israel and Russia added to UN sexual violence in conflict blacklist

The United Nations has added Israel and Russia to a blacklist concerning reports of sexual violence during military conflicts, based on findings from a new UN report. The report cites documented incidents of sexual violence against Palestinian detainees in Israeli facilities and continues to monitor events within the ongoing war in Ukraine. UN officials noted that they faced persistent denial of access to detention centers in both countries, limiting the scope of their verification. In response, Israel announced the suspension of its relations with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres until the end of his term on December 31, 2026. Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon condemned the inclusion as a scandalous and absurd decision that improperly equates Israel with Hamas. The UN had previously warned both nations in August 2024 regarding the potential for this listing based on credible reports. This report is scheduled for formal submission to the Security Council, although Israel disputes the legitimacy of the findings and the organization's neutrality.