Israel cuts ties with UN chief: What angered Jerusalem
Photo: Israel's ambassador to the UN Danny Danon (Getty Images)
Israel's ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon has threatened to sever all ties between his country and UN Secretary-General António Guterres and his office after the UN included Israeli military personnel on a blacklist. Jerusalem considers the move unacceptable, according to The New York Times.
Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador, said he had officially received information from the Secretary-General's office that Israel and its security forces would be included in the annual report on conflict-related sexual violence. He called the decision "disconnected from the facts and reality."
Hamas is also included in the relevant list of countries and groups accused of using sexual violence as a weapon of war.
The Israeli representative condemned the decision, denied the allegations, and accused UN Secretary-General António Guterres of lying and failing to fully investigate claims against Israel.
"To put us and Hamas terrorists on the same list, that's unacceptable," Danon said.
Guterres' term as UN Secretary-General is set to end this year, and it is unclear what Israel’s announcement of breaking ties with his office actually means, given the already strained relations, The New York Times notes.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric described Israel’s announcement as "symbolic" and unlikely to change UN operations. He said the organization will "continue to work with the Israeli Mission"
What preceded Israel's statement
Earlier, we reported that the UN had added Israel, Russia, and Hamas to a list of countries and organizations suspected of committing sexual violence in conflict zones. The latest UN report contains disturbing descriptions of abuses by Israeli and Russian armed forces and security services, as well as Hamas militants.
