UN Adds Israel's Military to List of Child Rights Violators: Controversy Ensues

 The United Nations has added Israel's military to a list of offenders against children, sparking condemnation from Israeli officials.

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has included Israel's military on a global list of entities accused of violating children's rights. This decision, which is part of the annual report on children and armed conflict, has sparked strong reactions from Israeli officials, who have called it "shameful."

The report, due to be submitted to the UN Security Council on June 14, documents violations against children, including killing, maiming, sexual abuse, abduction, recruitment, denial of aid, and attacks on schools and hospitals. The list categorizes offenders into those that have implemented measures to protect children and those that have not. According to Israel's UN envoy Gilad Erdan, Israel is listed among the latter.

Erdan expressed his dismay in a video posted on social media, where he claimed to have been informed of the decision by Guterres' chief of staff. He described the decision as "immoral," arguing that it would embolden terrorist groups and undermine Israel's security efforts. "Israel's army is the most moral army in the world," Erdan asserted.

The inclusion of Israel's military on this list is likely to strain relations between Israel and the United Nations. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz highlighted that this decision would impact diplomatic relations, reflecting the severity with which Israeli officials view the designation.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also condemned the UN's decision, stating that the organization had aligned itself with supporters of Hamas, a militant group governing Gaza. He criticized the UN for allegedly undermining Israel's right to defend itself.

The specific violations that led to Israel's inclusion on the list were not immediately clear. The report is compiled by Virginia Gamba, the UN's special representative for children and armed conflict. It aims to pressure parties involved in conflicts to take steps to protect children.

This development comes in the context of ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Following a deadly attack by Hamas militants on October 7, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and the kidnapping of more than 250 people, Israel launched a substantial military response. The Israeli operations in Gaza have led to significant casualties, with Gaza health authorities reporting over 36,000 Palestinians killed.

The UN’s decision has sparked a broader debate about the impact of military actions on children and the responsibilities of state and non-state actors in conflict zones.