Israel Severs Ties with U.N. Secretary-General Over Blacklist Controversy
Israel has decided to cut ties with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and his office after the country was included in a blacklist of groups involved in conflict-related sexual violence. The Israeli Prison Service will be listed in the 2026 report, and other Israeli authorities are being monitored for potential inclusion in the future. Hamas was previously added to the blacklist in August 2025, following the 2023 attacks on Israel, and entities remain on the list for one year. The Israeli Foreign Ministry criticized the U.N., accusing it of targeting Israel and deviating from its original principles.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry denounced the addition of Israel to the blacklist, claiming it was an attempt by Guterres to create a false equivalence between Israel and the violence perpetrated by Hamas. Israel denied all allegations of sexual violence and announced the severance of all ties with the U.N. secretary-general's office until a new appointment is made. The strained relationship between Israel and Guterres escalated when Israel was put "on notice" for the blacklist alongside Hamas, despite Israel's continuous denial of the allegations.
Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon has engaged with the secretary-general's office multiple times, providing evidence and inviting U.N. personnel to visit the locations in question. The Israeli government has accused Guterres of lacking honesty, integrity, and professionalism, leading to the decision to sever ties with his office. The Washington Examiner reached out to the U.N. Secretary-General's office for a response, but no comment was provided.
In conclusion, Israel's decision to cut ties with the U.N. secretary-general's office reflects the country's strong objection to being included in a blacklist of groups involved in conflict-related sexual violence. The Israeli government has denounced the U.N.'s actions and accused Guterres of bias against Israel, leading to the decision to sever all relations until a new secretary-general is appointed.