The United Nations has added Israel and Russia to a blacklist of nations accused of using sexual violence as a weapon of war, a move that has sparked immediate backlash from Jerusalem and raised questions about the escalating humanitarian toll of conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.
The inclusion of Israel—alongside Russia—on the UN’s list of states that have committed or allowed grave violations against women and children in armed conflict marks a rare and pointed diplomatic rebuke. The designation, announced by the UN secretary-general’s office, cites documented cases of sexual violence against Palestinian women and children in Gaza, where Israel’s military campaign has been underway since October 2023.
Why the UN’s Blacklist Strikes a Nerve
The UN’s decision stems from a report by the secretary-general’s special representative on sexual violence in conflict, Pramila Patten, who has repeatedly warned that sexual violence is being used systematically in Gaza. While Hamas, the militant group controlling parts of the Strip, has also been named in the report, the focus on Israel has drawn particular scrutiny. Jerusalem has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, with officials accusing the UN of bias against Israel.
Israel’s response was swift and sharp. The Israeli government condemned the designation as “unfounded and baseless,” with a senior official stating that it was part of a broader pattern of “anti-Israel bias” within international institutions. The move comes at a delicate moment in Israeli-Palestinian relations, as global pressure mounts over civilian casualties in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there.
Russia’s Inclusion and the Broader Context
Russia’s inclusion on the list—already a longstanding target for its actions in Ukraine—reflects ongoing documentation of sexual violence by Russian forces, including reports of mass rapes and forced deportations of Ukrainian women and children. While the UN has previously condemned Russia’s actions, the formal blacklisting underscores the gravity of the allegations and may pave the way for further sanctions or diplomatic isolation.
The blacklist, maintained under the UN’s Secretary-General’s Action Plan on Sexual Violence in Conflict, is not legally binding but carries significant moral and political weight. Nations on the list face increased scrutiny, potential arms embargoes, and restrictions on international aid. Past entries have included Syria, Central African Republic, and South Sudan.
International Reactions and the Road Ahead
Israel’s foreign ministry has vowed to challenge the designation, calling it an attempt to “weaponize” the issue of sexual violence against the Jewish state. Meanwhile, Palestinian factions have welcomed the UN’s move, framing it as long-overdue accountability for Israel’s actions in Gaza. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have urged the UN to expand investigations into alleged war crimes in the region.
What remains unclear is whether the blacklist will lead to concrete action. The UN has previously struggled to translate such designations into tangible consequences for listed nations. For now, the focus remains on the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where sexual violence—whether by state or non-state actors—continues to be a devastating reality for civilians.
