Israel and Russia added to UN sexual violence in warzones blacklist for the first time

The United Nations has added Israel and Russia to its Secretary-General's blacklist for sexual violence in conflict zones for the first time, a decision announced on Friday, May 29, 2026. This move follows a warning issued by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last year that both nations could face inclusion. The report details multiple verified incidents of sexual violence by Israeli armed and security forces against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, including rape and other forms of abuse during detention.

For Russia, the UN report documented 310 cases of conflict-related sexual violence perpetrated by its armed and security forces in Ukraine. These cases, affecting predominantly men but also women and girls, included severe acts such as rape, gang rape, and genital mutilation. Both countries have vehemently denied the allegations, with Israel dismissing the decision as politically motivated and baseless.

In response to its inclusion on the blacklist, Israel's foreign ministry declared it would sever all ties with Secretary-General Guterres, stating that contact would resume only after a new Secretary-General is appointed. While inclusion on the blacklist does not automatically trigger sanctions, it can significantly damage a country's reputation and impact its eligibility for UN peacekeeping missions.