UN Lists Israel Among States Violating Children's Rights
The United Nations has taken a significant and controversial step by adding Israel to the global list of states and armed groups who have committed violations against children. This announcement comes from Israel’s UN envoy, Gilad Erdan, and marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict in the region.
News of Israel’s inclusion on the list follows eight months of war on Gaza, during which more than 13,000 children are estimated to be among the 36,500 killed. This addition to the list also coincides with the recent Israeli bombing of a UN school in central Gaza, an attack that killed more than 40 Palestinians, including children.
The report, which is part of a broader document on children and armed conflict, is set to be presented to the UN Security Council next Friday. It details the killing, maiming, sexual abuse, abduction or recruitment of children, denial of aid access, and the targeting of schools and hospitals. Compiled by Virginia Gamba, the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, the list aims to name and shame parties to conflicts in the hope of deterring violence against children.
Erdan expressed his outrage at Israel’s inclusion, calling the decision “shameful” and asserting that Israel’s army is the “most moral army in the world.” This sentiment was echoed by Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who stated that the UN had “added itself to the black list of history when it joined those who support the Hamas murderers.”
Hamas is also mentioned in the report for its actions on October 7, where nearly 1,200 Israelis were killed in an attack that involved the killing and kidnapping of children. This dual inclusion highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of the conflict, implicating both Israeli and Palestinian groups in severe violations against children.
Israel Katz, Israel’s foreign minister, warned that this decision would further strain the already tense relations between Israel and the UN. Israel has been refusing to engage with the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the primary organization delivering aid to Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
The UN report has sparked debate and controversy, with allegations that Israel had previously been omitted from the list due to political pressure. Ezequiel Heffes, director of the human rights group Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict, noted that there have been verified violations by both Israeli government forces and Palestinian armed groups in past years, but they had never been listed.
Once a state or group is cited in the UN report for violations, the UN is expected to engage with them to encourage actions that prevent future violations. Previous discussions between the UN, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and Palestinian armed groups have aimed to mitigate harm to children, but the impact and effectiveness of these engagements remain a topic of contention.
Erdan’s response to the decision was delivered via a video on social media, where he reiterated his shock and disgust, insisting that this decision would only serve to aid terrorists and reward Hamas.
The inclusion of Israel on this list underscores the gravity and complexity of protecting children in armed conflicts. As the international community reacts to this development, the hope remains that increased scrutiny will lead to meaningful changes and better protection for children caught in the crossfire of this enduring conflict.
News of Israel’s inclusion on the list follows eight months of war on Gaza, during which more than 13,000 children are estimated to be among the 36,500 killed. This addition to the list also coincides with the recent Israeli bombing of a UN school in central Gaza, an attack that killed more than 40 Palestinians, including children.
The report, which is part of a broader document on children and armed conflict, is set to be presented to the UN Security Council next Friday. It details the killing, maiming, sexual abuse, abduction or recruitment of children, denial of aid access, and the targeting of schools and hospitals. Compiled by Virginia Gamba, the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, the list aims to name and shame parties to conflicts in the hope of deterring violence against children.
Erdan expressed his outrage at Israel’s inclusion, calling the decision “shameful” and asserting that Israel’s army is the “most moral army in the world.” This sentiment was echoed by Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who stated that the UN had “added itself to the black list of history when it joined those who support the Hamas murderers.”
Hamas is also mentioned in the report for its actions on October 7, where nearly 1,200 Israelis were killed in an attack that involved the killing and kidnapping of children. This dual inclusion highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of the conflict, implicating both Israeli and Palestinian groups in severe violations against children.
Israel Katz, Israel’s foreign minister, warned that this decision would further strain the already tense relations between Israel and the UN. Israel has been refusing to engage with the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the primary organization delivering aid to Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
The UN report has sparked debate and controversy, with allegations that Israel had previously been omitted from the list due to political pressure. Ezequiel Heffes, director of the human rights group Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict, noted that there have been verified violations by both Israeli government forces and Palestinian armed groups in past years, but they had never been listed.
Once a state or group is cited in the UN report for violations, the UN is expected to engage with them to encourage actions that prevent future violations. Previous discussions between the UN, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and Palestinian armed groups have aimed to mitigate harm to children, but the impact and effectiveness of these engagements remain a topic of contention.
Erdan’s response to the decision was delivered via a video on social media, where he reiterated his shock and disgust, insisting that this decision would only serve to aid terrorists and reward Hamas.
The inclusion of Israel on this list underscores the gravity and complexity of protecting children in armed conflicts. As the international community reacts to this development, the hope remains that increased scrutiny will lead to meaningful changes and better protection for children caught in the crossfire of this enduring conflict.
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