UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence claimed it was ‘not her job’ to review facts before blacklisting Israel

Israeli officials quoted by Ynet said pressure mounted on Guterres to add Israel after Hamas was listed last year.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten said she does not personally review the evidence underlying reports submitted to Secretary-General António Guterres, whose latest annual report added Israel to the UN blacklist of parties accused of conflict-related sexual violence.

During an exchange with journalists, Patten described her role as compiling information received by her office rather than independently examining underlying evidence.

“I am a recipient. I compile that information and I present it to the Secretary-General,” Patten said.

When asked whether she had personally seen the evidence cited in the case against Israel, she replied: “no, because it’s not my job,” i24 reported.

Guterres’s 2026 report on conflict-related sexual violence placed Israel on a global blacklist that includes parties accused of committing or failing to prevent sexual crimes in conflict zones.

The report alleged that Israeli armed forces, security personnel and the Israeli Prison Service committed sexual abuse and torture against Palestinian detainees.

The decision drew a sharp response from Israel, which rejected the allegations and announced it was severing all working ties with Guterres’s office.

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon called the move “outrageous, dangerous, and morally indefensible” and said Israel would halt all contact with the secretary-general’s administration.

“This is a moral disgrace that proves Guterres has lost all credibility,” Danon said, criticizing the decision to place Israel “on the same blacklist as Hamas, ISIS [Islamic State], and the most barbaric terrorist organizations in the world.”

According to Turkish media sources, Patten said her office repeatedly sought information and documentation from Israel regarding efforts to prevent sexual violence and ensure accountability, but claimed it did not receive a single “iota” of information.

The listing has generated particular controversy in Israel because Hamas was previously included on the same blacklist over findings related to rape and sexual violence during the October 7, 2023 massacre and the captivity of Israeli hostages in Gaza.

In March 2024, Patten reported “reasonable grounds” to believe Hamas committed rape and sexual violence during the October 7 attack and during the detention of hostages.

Israeli officials quoted by Ynet said pressure mounted on Guterres to add Israel after Hamas was listed last year.

Benny Gantz described the report as “antisemitic and hypocritical,” while Gilad Erdan called the United Nations “corrupt and distorted.”