Israel, Russia hit back after being added to UN blacklist for sexual violence in conflicts

An annual United Nations report on sexual violence in conflicts has added Israeli forces to its blacklist for the first time, citing their treatment of Palestinian detainees. Israel has denied these accusations. The report, which lists 77 parties across a dozen countries suspected of committing sexual violence, also blacklisted Russian armed and security forces for the first time due to sexual violence against prisoners of war and detained civilians during the Ukraine conflict. The UN noted a sharp increase in reported cases in 2025 compared to 2024.

An annual United Nations report has added Israeli forces to its blacklist for sexual violence in conflict zones for the first time, citing their treatment of Palestinian detainees. Russian armed and security forces were also newly blacklisted for sexual violence against prisoners of war and civilians in Ukraine. The report, which documents a sharp rise in cases in 2025, includes 77 government and non-government parties in a dozen countries. Israel and Russia have denied the accusations and expressed outrage at their inclusion, with Israel stating the decision reflects institutionalized hostility. The report details alleged violations against Palestinian detainees, including rape and physical violence, and notes that Hamas militants remain on the list. Russia's U.N. Ambassador stated Russia is documenting alleged mistreatment of its prisoners of war by Ukraine.

Israel has accused the United Nations of placing Israeli entities on a sexual violence blacklist alongside Hamas, leading to Israel freezing ties with UN Secretary-General António Guterres's office. Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, stated that Guterres made the decision to include Israeli entities on this list, which he described as a "moral disgrace." The Israeli Foreign Ministry condemned the reported decision, calling it an attempt to create a "fake symmetry" between Israel and Hamas and proof of the UN's politicized nature. The UN has not confirmed Israel's inclusion on such a blacklist, and did not respond to inquiries. This development follows a New York Times opinion piece accusing Israeli prison guards of institutionalized sexual abuse of Palestinian prisoners, which Israel also strongly refuted.

The United Nations has reportedly added Israel to a list concerning sexual violence in conflict zones, according to Israel's ambassador to the UN. In response, Israel's ambassador stated that Tel Aviv will cut ties with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The decision stems from an upcoming report from Guterres's office on conflict-related sexual violence. Israel's ambassador described the decision to blacklist Israel and accuse it of using sexual violence as a weapon of war as "outrageous" and unacceptable, particularly if placed on the same list as Hamas. The Israeli mission to the UN announced it will have no contact with the secretary-general's office while Guterres leads the organization. Israel's foreign ministry also criticized the decision as "shameful and absurd," calling the UN a politicized and corrupt organization that targets Israel.