Israel to Cut Ties With U.N. Chief Over Its Inclusion on Sexual Violence Blacklist
The New York Times • • world
Key Points:
- Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, announced that Israel will cut ties with the U.N. secretary general António Guterres and his office following the decision to include Israel on a sexual violence blacklist related to alleged abuse of Palestinian detainees.
- The U.N. report also includes Hamas on a list of groups accused of using sexual violence as a weapon of war, a comparison that Israel strongly rejects.
- Danon accused Guterres of lying and failing to fully investigate the allegations against Israel, calling the decision "disconnected from the facts and reality."
- Tensions between Israel and the U.N. have escalated recently, with Israel's foreign minister declaring Guterres persona non grata in 2024, reflecting broader diplomatic strains after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
- It remains unclear how Israel's severing ties with Guterres' office will impact their already strained relationship, especially as Guterres' term as U.N. chief is set to end this year.