United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has officially announced that Israel will be included in the UN Blacklist Israel of countries and organizations that harm children in conflict zones. This significant decision places Israel alongside nations and groups such as Russia, ISIS, al-Qaeda, and Boko Haram. The announcement was delivered today by Guterres’ chief of staff to Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan.
The UN Blacklist Israel Announcement
A diplomatic source has revealed that Hamas and Islamic Jihad will also be included on the same list. The full report detailing these inclusions will be published in a week. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly condemned the decision, stating, “Today, the UN added itself to the blacklist of history when it joined those who support the Hamas murderers. The IDF is the most moral army in the world; no delusional UN decision will change that.”
The draft report Israel received a few months ago attributed responsibility to Israel for actions violating international law concerning the harm to children. It cited the use of large-scale bombs in populated areas, the severe siege on Gaza, and attacks on critical infrastructure necessary for humanitarian needs, including UN institutions, schools, hospitals, and water and sanitation facilities. The draft also accused Israel of attempting to recruit minors as “whistleblowers” and using children as shields. Notably, it did not mention the use of children as human shields by Hamas and Islamic Jihad or the extensive rocket fire by Hamas into Israeli territory, targeting civilian populations and damaging civilian facilities, including kindergartens, hospitals, and schools. These allegations are central to the decision to include Israel in the UN Blacklist Israel.
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Last year, the UN Blacklist Israel included seven countries, most of which were dictatorships: Afghanistan, Colombia, Congo, Iraq, Mali, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, and Syria. Terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda, ISIS, al-Shabaab, and Boko Haram were also on the list. This year marks the first time Russia’s armed forces were included. While inclusion on the UN Blacklist Israel does not result in immediate sanctions, it raises significant concerns about potential international initiatives against Israel, such as commercial boycotts or arms embargoes.
The annual report, compiled by Virginia Gamba, the UN envoy for children in war zones, serves as an appendix to the UN Secretary-General’s report on children in conflict zones, listing countries and armed organizations that have not taken sufficient measures to protect children. This report is pivotal in maintaining the UN Blacklist Israel.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced the severance of diplomatic relations with Israel during a march in Bogota, joining Bolivia, which made a similar move earlier in November due to the ongoing conflict. Israeli officials have strongly criticized Guterres, accusing him of bias against Israel. Outgoing Ambassador Erdan described the decision as “shameful” and accused Guterres of encouraging terrorism. In a message on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Erdan shared his phone call with the UN Secretary-General’s office, expressing his outrage. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric called the release of the recording “shocking and unacceptable.”
Foreign Minister Israel Katz condemned the decision, calling it evidence of Guterres’ hatred for Israel and disregard for Israel’s right to self-defense. Katz accused the UN Secretary-General of ignoring Hamas’ actions and relying on unverified and biased data from organizations such as OCHA, which recently adjusted casualty figures in Gaza.
Inclusion on the UN Blacklist Israel carries significant reputational damage, as the report is widely cited in international forums, including the UN General Assembly, the Security Council, and the Hague Tribunals. A country or entity on the list is subject to dedicated reports by the office of the special envoy, which are then provided to the Security Council’s working group on children in conflict zones. This working group can make recommendations that the Security Council may adopt, potentially leading to further actions against Israel.
The National Security Council in Israel has already discussed potential responses. Ambassador Erdan has suggested measures such as closing the UN headquarters in Jerusalem, cutting off contact with the Secretary-General’s envoy for the peace process, denying visas to UN officials, and declaring UNRWA a terrorist organization. These potential actions underscore the significant impact of being placed on the UN Blacklist Israel.
