UN Blacklists Israel for Sexual Violence in Warzones
Israel’s ambassador to the UN has accused the UN chief of spreading antisemitic lies, prompting the Israeli UN mission to refuse contact with his office. These accusations stem from a UN report detailing verified cases of sexual violence, including rape and forced nudity, committed against Palestinian detainees by Israeli military, police, and prison service officers. The report also notes that the UN’s investigation attempts have been obstructed by the Israeli government, while allegations of sexual violence against Hamas captors by released hostages remain unverified due to similar access denials. This situation has been further complicated by high-profile cases suggesting a pattern of abuse against Palestinian detainees, leading to significant international scrutiny and strong denials from the Israeli government, which has threatened defamation lawsuits against media outlets reporting on the allegations.
John Q. Hosedrinker