A United Nations hearing marking the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict descended into a heated shouting match on Friday after Israel's ambassador accused senior UN officials of bias and targeting Israel, and demanded the resignation of an official whose report placed Israel on a UN blacklist for alleged abuses.
The confrontation unfolded during a public hearing at UN headquarters in New York, where Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon targeted Pramila Patten, the UN secretary-general's special representative on sexual violence in conflict.
Israeli Envoy Attacks UN Report
Danon criticised Patten over a report issued last month that included Israel on a UN blacklist related to conflict-related sexual violence allegations for the first time.
"You caved to the secretary-general's obsession with targeting Israel," Danon said, referring to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The Israeli envoy also called on Patten to resign, accusing her of acting with bias against Israel.
UN Official Interrupts, Heated Exchange Follows
The remarks prompted an immediate intervention from Vanessa Frazier, Guterres' representative for children and armed conflict, who interrupted the proceedings by raising a point of order.
Frazier objected to what she described as personal attacks against UN officials and defended the findings contained in the reports.
She told the meeting that the conclusions were based on "verified evidence."
Danon responded sharply, telling the UN official to remain silent. "We are a member state, and you work for the U.N., and you will be quiet now. You will be quiet ... you and your shameful report," he said.
Danny Danon, Israel’s so-called ambassador to the UN, doesn’t defend his regime with facts. When the United Nations added Israel’s army to its blacklist for conflict-related sexual violence alongside ISIS, this arrogant thug shouted “YOU WILL BE QUIET NOW!” at UN staff and… pic.twitter.com/zxp1dmsnqR
— Abilio (@ilbannay) June 19, 2026
Reports Put Israel Under Scrutiny
The confrontation comes amid growing tensions between Israel and the United Nations over reports documenting the impact of the conflict on civilians.
Earlier this week, Frazier submitted a report on behalf of Guterres warning that Israeli settler groups could eventually be added to a global blacklist for violations against children.
The report accompanied concerns voiced by the UN chief over what he described as a "staggering" increase in violations affecting Palestinian children.
Israel already appears in the report's annexes, commonly referred to as the UN's "list of shame", which identifies parties accused of committing grave violations against children in armed conflict.
Israel-UN Relations Continue To Deteriorate
Israel strongly rejected Patten's findings when her report was released last month.
Danon had described the document as "a new low", while Israel's Foreign Ministry announced plans to sever all ties with Guterres before the end of his term later this year.
The reports at the centre of Friday's dispute also include Hamas among parties accused of violations.
The public clash underscored the increasingly strained relationship between Israel and senior UN officials, with disagreements over reports on the Gaza conflict spilling into an unusually heated confrontation during a formal UN event.
-
Indian IT industry wants to take on 'unglamorous' AI work for American companies
-
India's foreign exchange reserves fall by nearly $10 billion to $671 billion
-
Brazil Triumphs Over Haiti in FIFA World Cup 2026 Opener
-
Shraddha Kapoor Saree Style Guide: Elegant Party Looks That Keep You Stylish and Comfortable in Summer
-
Redmi Turbo 5 Sale Goes Live on Amazon: How to Grab ₹2,000 Instant Discount