Israel fury at being added to record of offenders who hurt youngsters
Israel is furious after the UN has added the country to the global list of offenders who commit violations against children.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has added Israel’s military to the list.
But Israel’s UN envoy Gilad Erdan, described the decision as ‘shameful’ and said he was only officially notified of the decision on Friday.
The global list is included in a report on children and armed conflict that is due to be submitted to the U.N. Security Council on June 14.
Guterres stated that Israel will be included in the blacklist with the likes of Russia and terrorist organisations such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Boko Haram.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described his country’s army as ‘the most moral army in the world’
The war in Palestine has left many without homes and injured. Pictured: An injured boy stands inside the ruins of a classroom where people has been sheltering
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (pictured) has added Israel’s military to the list of offenders who commit crimes against children in the wake of the war against Hamas
The official list will be made public on June 18 and covers events in 2023.
After hearing of the decision, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: ‘Today the UN added itself to the black list of history when it joined those who support the Hamas murderers. The IDF is the most moral army in the world; no delusional UN decision will change that.’
The decision comes as the United Nations top court has been reviewing a plea by South Africa to order a halt to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.
The country accused Israel of ‘genocide’ and has urged the International Court of Justice to order an ‘immediate’ stop to Israel’s campaign and facilitate access of humanitarian aid.
While the court cannot enforce its orders, South Africa’s call has put mounting international pressure on Israel.
Israel wants the court to throw out the request, arguing an enforced ceasefire would make it impossible to recover hostages taken in their October 7 assault and the UN’s decision today is another thorn in the side of the country currently at war with Hamas.
In a highly-charged ruling in January, the court ordered Israel to do everything in its power to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza but stopped short of ordering a ceasefire.
South Africa argues that the recent Israeli operation in Rafah changed the situation on the ground and should compel the court to issue fresh emergency orders.
The ICJ’s ruling comes hot on the heels of a landmark request by the International Criminal Court’s lead prosecutor to seek arrest warrants for top Israeli and Hamas leaders earlier this week.
