United Nations adds Israel and Russia to blacklist over conflict‑related sexual violence

The United Nations released a report documenting sexual violence in the war in Ukraine and in the occupied Palestinian territories. The report identified perpetrators from Israeli and Russian armed forces, security services and prison systems, and recorded over 300 cases in Ukraine and 31 cases in 2025 involving detainees in Gaza and the West Bank.

U.N. Special Representative on sexual violence, Pramila Patten, criticized Israel for failing to supply information on investigations, prosecutions or convictions related to such abuse, despite prior warnings that non‑compliance could lead to blacklisting. Israel dismissed the findings and severed ties with the U.N. office, while the United Nations prepared to forward the report to the Security Council. Both Israel and Russia were placed on the U.N.'s blacklist of entities suspected of conflict‑related sexual violence.

The UN offered technical assistance to Israel after a November 2025 letter went unanswered, and highlighted the need for preventive measures to avoid further inclusion in the list.