Israel Added to UN Sexual Violence Blacklist, Sever Ties with UN Chief
Rifaldy and others admit to misusing the names of several academic institutions.
Rifaldy and others admit to misusing the names of several academic institutions.
Diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Nations (UN) have hit a new low after the global body added Israel to a blacklist for sexual violence in conflict zones. The Israeli government has officially severed ties with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, reinforced the country’s stance in a video posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday (28 July). Danon stated that Israel would no longer communicate with the Secretary-General’s office while Guterres remains in office.
“We are done with this Secretary-General,” Danon said, condemning the upcoming report from Guterres’ office that placed Israel on the same list as terrorist groups.
The UN’s decision is based on its annual report on conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). In August, the UN had warned of credible reports of sexual violence by Israeli security forces against Palestinian detainees in various detention centres.
Reem Alsalem, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, called the action long overdue, highlighting independent documentation of widespread and horrific sexual violence against Palestinian men, women, and children.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein called the UN’s decision ‘shameful and irrational’, accusing the organisation of being politicised and corrupt, systematically targeting Israel as its primary mission.
Israel denied all allegations, claiming it had invited UN representatives for on-site verification. However, the UN stated that Israeli authorities frequently deny access to detention facilities.
Tensions between Israel and the UN escalated after the Gaza war began in October 2023. In 2024, Israel declared Guterres ‘persona non grata’ following repeated criticism of Israeli military operations that have killed over 72,000 Palestinians.
In response to the severed ties, Guterres’ spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the UN was aware of Danon’s comments but stressed that the Secretary-General’s door remains open for diplomatic dialogue.
Israel’s inclusion on the blacklist is expected to further complicate its diplomatic standing internationally, amid growing global pressure over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank. (Al Jazeera/I-2)
Investigators have taken several steps in handling the case, including taking witness statements and collecting necessary evidence for legal proceedings.
The Central Java Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag Jateng) is pushing for the closure of the unlicensed Padepokan Padang Ati in Pekalongan. 350 students have been sent home and relocation arrangements are being made following sexual abuse allegations.
Prevention requires more than education; a transparent, professional, and accountable system must be established.
KPAI Chairman Aris Adi Leksono urged the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Islamic boarding school communities to build a system protecting students from sexual violence.
All activities at Padang Ati Islamic Boarding School in Pekalongan have been halted. Suspect AKF faces up to 12 years in prison for alleged sexual abuse of dozens of female students since 2008.
A New York Times investigation revealed systematic sexual violence by Israeli forces against Palestinian detainees in the West Bank and prisons.
The Israeli military is likely to be included in the UN’s upcoming report on sexual violence.
Hundreds of Palestinian men and boys have been photographed and filmed in humiliating and degrading situations during sexual abuse.
The UN Human Rights Council’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory found Israel has intensified sexual violence against Palestinians.
Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians by systematically destroying fertility infrastructure and using sexual violence as a war strategy.