Israel severs ties with UN chief over inclusion in sexual violence report
Ambassador Danny Danon condemns the decision as outrageous, while the UN maintains its door remains open despite the diplomatic rupture.
Israeli authorities are set to be included in an annex of the United Nations Secretary-General’s annual report on conflict-related sexual violence, following the confirmation by Israeli officials on Thursday. The inclusion cites credible information regarding alleged abuse of Palestinian detainees by security forces, a move that has triggered an immediate and severe diplomatic response from Jerusalem.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon described the decision as "outrageous," announcing that Israel is severing all contact with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for the duration of his term. In a video posted to the platform X, Danon stated, "We are done with this secretary-general," accusing the organisation of spreading lies against Israel and condemning the decision to list Israeli authorities alongside Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The UN report, which is customarily presented to relevant states ahead of publication, also lists Hamas on the same annex. Danon described this grouping as "unacceptable," arguing that placing Israel and what he termed "Hamas terrorists" on the same list was a fundamental error. The Israeli mission to the UN issued a formal statement declaring it would have no contact with the secretary-general’s office while Guterres serves as head of the organisation.
The decision follows a pattern of scrutiny that began last year, when the report warned that Israel could be added to the list, citing credible information of sexual violence by security forces in Israeli detention centres. UN inspectors had previously been denied access to these facilities, a factor the UN cited in its assessment. Recent allegations include a New York Times investigation published in early May, which featured accounts from 14 Palestinian men and women regarding sexual assault by Israeli settlers or security forces.
Relations between the UN and Israel have deteriorated significantly since Israel launched its war on Gaza following the Hamas-led attacks on 7 October 2023. The UN chief was declared "personal non grata" in Israel in 2024, and Israeli authorities have frequently reproached Guterres for criticising its military operations. Despite the diplomatic rift, Guterres’ spokesman Stephane Dujarric stated that the secretary-general’s door remains open.
