UN report accusing Israel of committing acts of sexual violence receives backlash

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is under fire from Israel after releasing a report accusing the country of employing sexual violence against Palestinians since October 2023. The report, titled “‘More than a human can bear’: Israel’s systematic use of sexual, reproductive and other forms of gender-based violence since October 2023,” has sparked outrage from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In a statement, Prime Minister Netanyahu slammed the UNHRC as “an antisemitic, corrupt, terrorist-supporting and irrelevant body.” He criticized the council for focusing on false accusations against Israel while ignoring the crimes committed by the Hamas terrorist organization. Netanyahu called the report a “blood libel” and accused the UNHRC of attacking Israel with baseless allegations.

The report has also drawn condemnation from US Ambassador Designate to the United Nations Elise Stefanik, who called it “antisemitic and anti-Israel slander.” Stefanik criticized the council for failing to condemn the atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists against Israel, including acts of rape and sexual violence against Israeli women and girls.

Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon dismissed the report as “another vile and distorted document from the UN.” He accused the council of whitewashing Hamas’ war crimes and trampling on the truth. Danon called on the UN to face reality and condemned the report as worthless.

Critics of the report, including UN Watch Executive Director Hillel Neuer, have accused the UNHRC of twisting facts to falsely accuse Israel of crimes committed by Hamas. The report alleges a wide range of abuses by Israeli troops, condemning the destruction that led to violence against women and children. Israel has defended its actions, including forced public stripping, as necessary for security purposes.

Chair of the Commission Navi Pillay condemned the increase in sexual and gender-based violence and accused Israel of using sexual violence to terrorize Palestinians. The commission claims that sexual violence, including rape, is part of the IDF’s standard operating procedures towards Palestinians.

Despite the backlash, the UNHRC stands by its report and its mandate to investigate human rights abuses. Secretary-General António Guterres’ spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reiterated the need for accountability and respect for international humanitarian law and human rights law in the conflict.

The controversy surrounding the UNHRC report highlights the ongoing tensions between Israel and the international community over allegations of human rights abuses. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the UNHRC and Israel will address these serious allegations.