UN adds Israel and Russiaadds Israel and Russia to sexual violence blacklist
The United Nations has added Israel and Russia to its annual blacklist of parties accused of conflict-related sexual violence, according to reports published on May 29, 2026.
The designation points to documented abuses in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Ukraine and other conflict zones, and it increases diplomatic pressure on both governments and the armed groups tied to them.
UN Perspective
UN officials said the listing reflects verified incidents and is meant to keep pressure on parties accused of abuses in war. They also stressed that the Secretary-General’s office remains open to representatives from all member states and observer states.
Israeli Perspective
Israeli officials have rejected the implications of the blacklist and objected to the report’s treatment of conduct in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. They are likely to frame the listing as politically biased and detached from Israel’s security concerns.
Russian Perspective
Russian officials are expected to deny the findings and challenge the UN’s credibility on issues tied to the war in Ukraine. They often argue that Western-backed institutions apply standards unevenly when assessing alleged abuses.
- The UN first created its conflict-related sexual violence monitoring framework in the 2000s.
- Russia’s listing comes as scrutiny of wartime abuses in Ukraine continues across international institutions.
- Israel and the UN have had repeated disputes over Gaza, settlements and aid access.
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