UN Includes Israel and Russia in Blacklist for Sexual Violence in Conflicts
The United Nations has for the first time added Israeli and Russian security forces to its blacklist for conflict-related sexual violence, with both countries denying the allegations.
The United Nations has included Israeli and Russian security forces on its blacklist for conflict-related sexual violence. This marks the first time these countries have been added to the list, which encompasses 77 state and non-state actors across various nations due to alleged abuses.
According to the report to be released on Friday, Israeli forces are accused of engaging in patterns of sexual violence against Palestinian detainees in Gaza and the West Bank. The report details severe violations, including instances of rape, gang rape, and forced nudity perpetrated by members of the Israeli military and security services. In response, Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, condemned the report as "shameful and absurd," asserting that the Secretary-General has equated Israel with terrorist organizations.
The UN report also documented 310 verified cases of sexual violence attributed to Russian forces against both military and civilian detainees in Ukraine. Russian envoy Vassily Nebenzia rejected the allegations, claiming they are part of an effort to unjustly portray Russia as a villain. While Ukraine was not included in the blacklist, the report noted 31 cases involving Ukrainian security forces occurring primarily before 2025. Other countries highlighted in the report include Sudan, Haiti, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Syria, and Mali.