The United Nations has added Israeli and Russian security forces to its annual blacklist documenting sexual violence during conflict, according to the report released this week. Both parties appear on the list for the first time.
The listing against Israeli forces includes allegations of rape committed against Palestinians held in detention. The specific allegations against Russian forces were documented in the report's findings on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The UN blacklist is produced annually by the Secretary-General's office and constitutes a formal record under the international framework on conflict-related sexual violence established by Security Council Resolution 1820. Inclusion carries weight in humanitarian law proceedings and in conditions attached to arms transfers and security assistance by member states.
Neither listing implies adjudicated guilt. Both carry the designation “credible allegations” under the UN's evidentiary threshold for inclusion. The report names parties across multiple active conflicts; Israel and Russia join a list that has historically included state and non-state actors operating in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East.
No statement had been issued by Israeli or Russian government representatives in response to the listings at time of publication.