UN adds Israel and Russia to blacklist on sexual violence in armed conflict

The United Nations has added Israel and Russia to its annual blacklist of parties credibly suspected of committing sexual violence in armed conflict, according to Israeli officials and reports reviewed by news agencies. The decision has sparked strong diplomatic reactions and threatens to further strain international relations.

Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, confirmed his country's inclusion on the list in a post on social media platform X, calling it "a political decision! Disconnected from the facts and reality!" Danon was informed of the decision during a phone call with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, according to the Israeli mission to the UN. In response to the listing, Israel's foreign ministry announced it would sever all ties with Guterres.

The blacklist, officially known as the list of parties credibly suspected of committing or being responsible for patterns of rape or other forms of sexual violence in armed conflict, is published annually by the UN Secretary-General. It includes dozens of state and non-state groups suspected of having engaged "systematically" in sexual violence in conflict zones around the world. The list covers ongoing conflicts in countries such as Sudan, Haiti, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Syria, and Mali.

Alongside Israel and Russia, Hamas has also reportedly been added to the list. This inclusion comes amid ongoing international scrutiny of conduct during armed conflicts and represents a significant diplomatic development for all parties involved.

UN Secretary-General Guterres had previously warned both Israel and Russia in August 2023 about their possible inclusion on the list. Such warnings typically serve as a diplomatic tool, giving parties an opportunity to address concerns and implement changes before formal listing. The warnings came against the backdrop of ongoing conflicts and international investigations into allegations of sexual violence.

The list appears on the agenda of the UN Security Council and serves as a mechanism to identify and pressure parties engaged in conflict-related sexual violence. Being included carries both symbolic and practical significance, representing official recognition by the international community that credible allegations of sexual violence exist against the listed parties.

For Israel, this development represents another strain in its relationship with the United Nations. Israeli officials have repeatedly criticized UN decisions as biased and politically motivated. The announcement to sever ties with Guterres underscores the severity of the diplomatic crisis between Israel and UN leadership.

Russia's inclusion comes amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where international organizations and investigators have documented allegations of sexual violence by Russian forces. For Russia, this represents another form of international condemnation of its conduct in armed conflicts.

The annual report containing the updated list is expected to be published soon, providing more detailed information about the basis for these inclusions. The listing process typically involves extensive documentation and verification of allegations through various UN mechanisms and partner organizations.

The diplomatic fallout from these listings is likely to continue, with affected parties expected to challenge the decisions through various diplomatic channels. The international community will be watching closely for further reactions and potential consequences for international cooperation and conflict resolution efforts.

This development highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing sexual violence in conflict situations and the complex diplomatic dynamics surrounding international accountability mechanisms. The UN's annual blacklist remains one of the few international tools for formally recognizing and addressing patterns of conflict-related sexual violence.