Palestine Welcomes UN’s Inclusion of Israel on Sexual Violence Blacklist as Realistic and Objective

Palestinian Authority Welcomes Israel’s Inclusion on UN Blacklist for Sexual Violence in Conflict

The Palestinian Authority has welcomed the inclusion of Israel on the United Nations blacklist for sexual violence in conflict zones. The statement from the Palestinian Foreign Ministry emphasized that this move is “realistic and objective.”

Israel was added to the list alongside Russia, as per the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ annual report on sexual violence in conflict. The ministry expressed support for Guterres amid Israeli attempts to influence the UN report.

The ministry stated that Israel has practiced torture, sexual violence, and rape against Palestinians in occupied territories, especially detention centers. It also noted that Israel has used sexual violence as a weapon of war, constituting a war crime and a crime against humanity.

The statement highlighted that Israel’s systematic and widespread policy over the past years aimed to intimidate Palestinians and create conditions for forced displacement. The ministry added that including Israel on the UN blacklist is an “objective, realistic, and scientific outcome” of diplomatic efforts, considering the illegal occupation of Palestinian territory.

UN Secretary-General’s annual report on sexual violence in conflict names 2 new countries to its so-called blacklist: Israel & Russia. Pramila Patten of @endrapeinwar on Israel pic.twitter.com/YzC0I3qq2q

The designation came as a result of “irrefutable Palestinian and international documentation, numerous international reports, and testimonies submitted by the State of Palestine and Palestinian victims who have been subjected to various forms of sexual violence, torture, and other violations against Palestinian prisoners and detainees during arrest, interrogation, and detention.”

On Thursday, Israel’s ambassador to the UN Danny Danon announced the decision to end contacts with Guterres’ office in a pre-recorded video message. Danon called Israel’s addition “outrageous” while alleging that the decision is part of a “campaign against Israel.”

The decision to add Israel to the blacklist follows multiple reports from media and human rights groups accusing Israel’s military of engaging in sexual violence.

An opinion piece published in the New York Times by columnist Nicholas Kristof alleged widespread sexual violence by Israeli prison guards, soldiers, settlers, and interrogators. Kristof interviewed 14 Palestinian detainees who described sexual assaults and other abuse during detention or attacks perpetrated by Israeli forces and settlers.

The ministry welcomed Guterres’ report on conflict-related sexual violence listing Israel on the list of state parties committing or being responsible for patterns of rape or other forms of sexual violence. The columnist cited a UN report, one of Israel’s standard operating procedures, documenting allegations of sexual abuse and mistreatment of Palestinian detainees.

Kristof also referenced reports by organizations including Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, Save the Children, B’Tselem, and the Committee to Protect Journalists documenting allegations of sexual abuse and mistreatment of Palestinian detainees.