Israel may be added to UN “list of shame” for child abusers
Hebrew Channel 13 reported on May 29th that Israel faces the prospect of being placed on a UN “list of shame” for child’s rights abusers, The New Arab and agencies reported.
“A marathon of discussions are currently taking place in Israel ahead of a dramatic decision within days that will decide whether or not Israel will be listed on a blacklist of countries that kill children,” the channel reported.
The UN secretary-general publishes an annual “list of shame” containing the names of those who severely abuse children’s rights. Its designation lasts four years. It focuses on those involved in child recruitment, sexual exploitation, killing of children via attacks on schools or hospitals as well as other violations.
The report said that the Israeli army could be declared such an entity, causing “great concern” among senior officials. The channel alleged that Israeli officials have begun formulating their response in preparation of the announcement.
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The report follows Israel’s recently bolstered military offensive in Rafah following the seizure of its border crossing. On May 26th, an Israeli air strike killed at least 45 Palestinians in a displacement camp northwest of the city.
Commissioner-General of UNRWA Philippe Lazzarini said the number of children killed in Gaza since October 7th is more than the number of children killed in four years of wars around the world combined. He dubbed the conflict a “war on children, their childhood and their future.”
Last year, Human Rights Watch (HRW) stated that UN secretary general Antonio Guterres added Russia’s military forces to the list but excluded Israel, who they insisted “belongs on the list.” The group pointed out that Israel has never been included on the list.
“Israel’s continued omission from the list of shame does a grave disservice to Palestinian children,” HRW’s statement read. “The secretary general’s report found Israeli forces responsible for 975 child casualties and 110 attacks on schools and hospitals in 2022.”
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“Israel and other countries have resorted to aggressive lobbying and in some cases,” it added, “even UN blackmail to stay off the list of the worst violators.”
Last year, the Palestinian foreign ministry encouraged the UN to add Israel and mark the Day of the Palestinian Child. “The ministry reaffirms its standing request to [Guterres] to comply with his obligation to list Israel, the occupying power, as a systemic violator of the rights of children,” it said in a statement.
“Ignoring the compelling evidence in this regard is a grave dereliction that directly contributes to the pervasive culture of impunity that allows such atrocious violations of the rights of Palestinian children to continue without consequence,” it added.
The New Arab and agencies
