The United Nations has added Israel to its blacklist of countries and armed groups implicated in sexual violence during conflict, a move that has drawn both criticism and support from key international actors. The decision, announced late Tuesday by the office of the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, places Israel alongside entities such as the Islamic State and Al-Shabaab, citing allegations of sexual abuse against Palestinian detainees and during military operations in Gaza.
Britain, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has publicly backed an independent investigation into the claims. A Foreign Office spokesperson stated that London “takes all allegations of sexual violence with the utmost seriousness” and supports “a transparent, impartial probe” to establish facts. The British position aligns with that of several European nations, though it has strained relations with Israel, which categorically denies the allegations and accuses the UN of institutional bias.
The blacklist, formally known as the “List of Shame,” is part of the UN’s annual report on conflict-related sexual violence. It includes state and non-state actors for which there is credible evidence of patterns of rape, sexual slavery, or other forms of sexual assault. Inclusion does not carry automatic sanctions but can trigger diplomatic repercussions and aid restrictions.
Israeli officials have denounced the decision as politically motivated. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a statement calling the UN list “a mark of disgrace against a democratic state defending itself from terror.” The Israeli military has launched its own internal review, but maintains that allegations are unsubstantiated and based on unverified reports from Palestinian sources.
Human rights groups have welcomed the UN move. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have documented cases of sexual abuse against Palestinian women and men in Israeli detention, as well as during house searches and checkpoints. The UN report cites witness testimonies and medical records indicating incidents of rape, invasive strip searches, and sexual humiliation.
The UK’s endorsement of an independent inquiry is seen as a balancing act: maintaining its historical alliance with Israel while upholding international human rights norms. Analysts note that British support may lend credibility to any future investigation, though the Likud-led government in Jerusalem has so far rejected external probes.
The blacklisting comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with ongoing military operations in Gaza and settler violence in the West Bank. The International Criminal Court is also considering arrest warrants for Israeli leaders over alleged war crimes, though sexual violence charges have not been central to that inquiry.
The UN report urges Israel to allow unfettered access to UN investigators and to ensure accountability for perpetrators. It also calls on the international community to provide resources for survivors. The British Foreign Office has indicated it will raise the issue at the next UN Security Council session.
Israel’s inclusion on the list is likely to dominate discussions at the upcoming UN General Assembly, with Arab and Muslim states expected to use it as a rallying point. The United States has so far remained silent on the matter, though historically it has resisted UN mechanisms targeting Israel.
The development underscores the deepening isolation of Israel within multilateral forums, even as it continues to enjoy strong bilateral ties with the US and several European capitals. The British push for an inquiry may also put pressure on other allies to take a similar stance.
