• Israel and Russia have been added to a UN blacklist for sexual violence in conflicts.
• The UN report details incidences of sexual violence against detainees in Israel and Ukraine.
• Both nations have denied the allegations and expressed outrage over the decision.

The United Nations has officially added both Israel and Russia to its blacklist for sexual violence in conflict zones, according to a recent report released on May 29. This marks the first inclusion of Israeli forces on such a list, where allegations of sexual violence against Palestinians have been documented, including instances of rape, gang rape, and other forms of torture. The report highlights that in 2025 alone, the UN verified 31 cases of sexual violence committed by Israeli forces against Palestinian detainees, including many minors, with violations reported across several detention sites, including military camps and police stations, according to Le Monde and BBC.

In response to their inclusion in the UN report, Israeli officials have condemned the actions of Secretary-General António Guterres, alleging that they are politically motivated and lack factual basis. Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, indicated that the country would sever ties with Guterres, stating that the decision to include Israel on the blacklist is "absurd" and equates its military actions with those of terrorist organizations, such as Hamas, whose actions have been previously condemned by the UN, according to South China Morning Post and Middle East Eye.

Additionally, Russia has faced similar allegations, with the UN documenting 310 instances of sexual violence against prisoners of war and civilian detainees in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine. The UN report outlines various forms of violence, including rape and genital mutilation, perpetrated by Russian forces, marking a significant shift in how both Israel and Russia are viewed in the international community regarding conflict-related sexual violence. Russia's UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, expressed disbelief over the allegations, stating they portray Russia unfairly as a villain, as documented by Reuters and Al Jazeera.

UN officials, including Pramila Patten, who authored the report, emphasized the need for accountability and stated that the evidence of sexual violence against Palestinian detainees should be seen as indicative of broader issues within the Israeli detention system. Despite Israeli claims of denying access to UN investigators, the report reflects ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of detainees and the patterns of sexual violence documented by the UN, as mentioned in both Le Monde and Al Jazeera.

The incorporation of Israel and Russia into this blacklist signifies a growing awareness and condemnation of sexual violence in armed conflicts, reinforcing the UN's commitment to addressing and documenting such violations despite the political backlash faced from both nations. The report highlighted that nearly 10,000 cases of sexual violence were recorded worldwide last year, indicating a disturbing trend in conflict-related sexual violence, necessitating urgent action from the international community, according to BBC and Middle East Eye.