The United Nations has for the first time added Israel to its annual list of states and armed groups credibly accused of committing sexual violence in conflict, a move that has drawn strong condemnation from the British government. The decision, announced by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in his annual report on conflict-related sexual violence, singles out the Israeli military and the Hamas militant group for their actions during the escalation of hostilities in Gaza and southern Israel in October 2023.
The report cites verified incidents of sexual violence perpetrated by both parties, including evidence gathered by UN investigators and human rights organisations. For Israel, the allegations centre on the treatment of Palestinian detainees and the use of sexual violence as a method of interrogation and intimidation. For Hamas, the accusations involve the brutal attacks on Israeli civilians on 7 October, which included reports of rape and sexual mutilation.
Britain, a longstanding ally of Israel, was among the first Western nations to publicly rebuke the UN decision. The Foreign Office released a statement expressing profound disappointment, arguing that the inclusion was politically motivated and that the evidence against Israel lacked the same level of forensic corroboration as that against Hamas. The statement reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to fighting sexual violence in conflict but insisted that the listing should be based on “clear and convincing evidence”.
The US Department of State echoed similar sentiments, calling the listing “deeply flawed” and warning that it could undermine the credibility of the blacklist. Other European nations, including Germany and France, expressed cautious concern, urging the UN to ensure that its methodology is transparent and impartial.
Conversely, human rights groups and Palestinian advocacy organisations welcomed the listing as a long overdue recognition of abuses perpetrated by Israeli forces. Amnesty International described it as a crucial step towards accountability and an end to impunity. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the international community to hold Israel to account and to support the work of the International Criminal Court.
The UN list, established in 2010, is part of a broader effort to combat the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. It includes state and non-state actors from conflict zones including Syria, Myanmar, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Inclusion does not automatically trigger sanctions but is intended to shame perpetrators and to inform UN Security Council action.
This development represents a significant diplomatic setback for Israel, which has traditionally enjoyed robust international support on human rights issues. It also places Britain in a delicate position, as it seeks to balance its historical alliance with Israel with its stated commitment to international law and the protection of civilians.
The controversy is expected to dominate discussions at the UN Security Council in the coming weeks, with Britain likely to face pressure from other member states to justify its opposition. Meanwhile, the Israeli government has rejected the allegations as baseless and has launched its own internal investigations.
For observers, the episode underscores the deep partisan divisions that now characterise the international response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the growing difficulty of maintaining a unified diplomatic front in the face of competing narratives and evidence.
