UN adds Israel and Russia to blacklist for sexual violence in conflict

UN adds Israel and Russia to blacklist for sexual violence in conflict

UN adds Israel and Russia to blacklist - The United Nations has placed Israel and Russia on a list of entities linked to sexual violence during armed conflicts, highlighting instances of abuse by military forces, such as the sexual assault of male detainees. This move comes as part of a broader report examining global patterns of conflict-related sexual violence, which includes detailed accounts of both countries' actions. The UN confirmed 31 cases of sexual abuse involving Palestinian men, women, and children across the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank between 2023 and 2025, underscoring the systemic nature of these violations.

Israeli Practices: A Pattern of Abuse

The report documents multiple forms of sexual violence attributed to Israeli forces, including gang rapes, the use of sexual assault as a method of torture, and the application of physical threats to intimidate detainees. Specific incidents include the rape of male prisoners in detention centers, as well as attacks on genitalia and forced nudity. According to the UN, these cases were “indicative of incidents and patterns” rather than a complete tally, due to restrictions on investigators' access. Israel has been accused of limiting UN experts' ability to monitor its detention facilities, blocking travel to Gaza, and threatening Palestinian detainees with retaliation if they reported abuse after release.

One particularly egregious case occurred in a police station within the Gush Etzion settlement of the occupied West Bank, where an Israeli soldier allegedly raped a detainee. The report cites perpetrators such as Israeli soldiers, prison officers, and members of a counter-terrorism unit, emphasizing the widespread use of sexual violence in interrogation settings. A “systemic lack of accountability” has been noted, as the UN highlights the recorded assault of a Gaza detainee, which was captured on security cameras and reported to police by Israeli medics. Despite these findings, the Israeli government has rejected the allegations, with its ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, stating that the country submitted “evidence, documents, and detailed responses” to all claims. However, he did not release any of this evidence publicly, leaving questions about its validity.

Russian Tactics: Systematic Sexual Torture

Russia has also been included on the UN’s list for its role in perpetrating sexual violence during the conflict in Ukraine. Investigators verified 310 cases of abuse, including rape, gang-rape, genital mutilation, and the use of electric shocks on genital areas. The report reveals that most victims were men, with 26 women and four girls also affected. Russian forces are said to have implemented “systematic sexual torture” in nearly every detention center, targeting both civilians and prisoners of war. In two-thirds of the documented cases, multiple forms of sexual violence were combined, and over half of the survivors endured repeated attacks. The UN notes that many of these victims were interviewed in Ukrainian-held areas after their release, further complicating the investigation process.

The UN alleges that Russia obstructed access to prisoners and civilians, hindering efforts to fully document the extent of sexual abuse. This included preventing monitors from entering detention facilities and restricting the flow of information to investigators. Despite these challenges, the report underscores the severity of Russia’s actions, citing the use of sexual violence as a tool of psychological and physical control. The inclusion of Russia on the blacklist reflects a growing concern about the normalization of such practices in the region.

A Global Surge in Sexual Violence

According to the UN, conflict-related sexual violence has seen a significant increase since 2024, marked by extreme brutality and a focus on women and girls. However, Israel and Russia stand out for their targeting of men, with the report indicating that these groups have also used sexual assault as a means of intimidation and punishment. The UN’s findings suggest a divergence from the global trend, as both nations have been accused of employing sexual violence against male detainees in a systematic manner.

The report, which spans 77 countries and armed groups, was shared by Israeli diplomats at the UN prior to its public release. The full findings were later published by the U.S.-based news site PassBlue, providing transparency to the international community. The document highlights how sexual violence has become an accepted part of military operations, particularly in Israeli prisons, where it has been normalized alongside physical and psychological abuse. Rights organizations have characterized these detention centers as “torture camps,” emphasizing the dehumanizing conditions faced by Palestinian prisoners.

Denial and Resistance

Both Israel and Russia have denied allegations of using sexual violence in their military campaigns. Israeli officials have pointed to their efforts to address the issue, such as providing evidence to the UN. However, the report questions the effectiveness of these measures, as the country has not allowed the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit detainees since October 2023. This exclusion has raised concerns about the transparency of the Israeli investigation process.

Meanwhile, Russia’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has sparked controversy by sharing footage of Israeli security forces abusing international activists detained during their attempt to deliver aid to Gaza. The video captures routine abuses that have been applied to Palestinian prisoners, including sexual assault. After their release, at least 15 activists reported being sexually attacked while in custody, with one case involving rape. This incident has intensified scrutiny of Israel’s treatment of detainees and its broader use of sexual violence as a weapon of conflict.

The UN has previously added Hamas to the list for its actions during the October 7 attacks on Israel and for the abuse of hostages in Gaza. Hamas has not acknowledged any cases of sexual violence or taken responsibility for alleged perpetrators, further complicating the accountability process. The report also touches on Ukrainian forces, who have been accused of committing similar violations, though the focus remains on Israel and Russia as the central examples of systemic abuse.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, has defended the alleged perpetrators, calling them “heroic” and criticizing the efforts to prosecute them as a “criminal” act. The victim of the Gaza detainee assault, who was never charged or tried, has since been released, leaving unanswered questions about justice. The UN’s inclusion of Israel and Russia on the blacklist serves as a stark reminder of the global rise in sexual violence during conflicts and the need for greater accountability mechanisms to protect vulnerable populations.

Broader Implications and Context

The report’s findings are part of a larger pattern of sexual violence being weaponized in modern warfare. By highlighting Israel and Russia, the UN aims to draw attention to the dehumanizing tactics employed by military forces in occupied territories. The inclusion of these two nations also underscores the role of state actors in perpetrating such crimes, often with the support of international allies and the absence of effective oversight.

While the UN’s report provides a comprehensive overview of documented cases, it acknowledges that the true scale of sexual violence may be even higher due to limited access to evidence. This limitation has led to calls for expanded investigations and more independent verification. The report also emphasizes the psychological impact of sexual violence, which not only harms individuals but also reinforces a culture of impunity within military and security structures.

In conclusion, the UN’s decision to add Israel and Russia to the sexual violence blacklist highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing such abuses during conflicts. The report serves as both a condemnation and a call to action, urging greater transparency and accountability from these nations. As the global community grapples with the normalization of sexual violence in warfare, the UN’s findings offer a critical framework for understanding its systemic nature and the need for continued international pressure.