Israeli ambassador erupts at UN official over sexual violence blacklist

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Danny Danon had a tense exchange with Vanessa Frazier, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, regarding Frazier’s role in Israel’s blacklisting on sexual violence.

The two shouted at each other on Friday at a UN meeting marking the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict after a report Frazier helped author put Israel on a sexual violence blacklist.

“You bowed to pressure. You bowed to the Secretary-General’s obsession with targeting Israel. And in doing so,” Danon began, before Frazier intervened.

“Wait, I’m talking now!” he shouted.

UN DRAFT REPORT ON CHILDREN IN CONFLICT ZONES RAISED EYEBROWS WITH ITS ISRAEL FRAMEWORK

“No, you will be silent, because now I am speaking! You spoke, now I am speaking. You spoke, now I will speak. Shame on you, you are part of Israel’s tyranny. Shame on you, you can leave. Now you speak, I am speaking. You can walk out, shame on you! You are part of it, part of its obsession,” he continued.

The United Nations Secretary-General listed Israeli organizations in an appendix to the UN’s annual Conflict-Related Sexual Violence report in May. The report specifically mentioned the Israel Defense Forces, the Israel Prison Service and the Counter-Terrorism Unit of the country’s border police, after UN Secretary-General António Guterres described these organizations as “a party suspected of committing or being responsible for rape or similar crimes.” sexual violence“

Danon had previously condemned the UN’s decision to add Israel to the blacklist and announced that relations between Israel and Guterres’ office would be frozen.

NETANYAHU CONDEMNS THE UN COUNCIL’S ‘SUPPORT TO TERRORISTS’, WHICH ACCUSED ISRAEL OF COMMITTING SEX CRIMES

In a statement to Fox News, Danon’s office described the decision as a “stain” and noted that Israel was listed as a terrorist organization.

“Israel has been blacklisted along with Hamas, ISIS and Boko Haram. This is a moral disgrace that will be remembered as one of the darkest stains on António Guterres’ legacy,” he said.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses the media during the 38th Ordinary Meeting of Heads of State and Government of the African Union at the headquarters of the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 15, 2025. (Tiksa Negeri/Reuters)

On Friday, Danon also called for the resignation of Pramila Patten, the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict and United Nations Under-Secretary-General. He later denied Frazier’s apparent attempt to defend Patten and stated that Patten was not at the meeting.

UN COMMISSION ACCUSES ISRAEL OF ‘DESTRUCTION’ IN DISPUTED REPORT

“Miss Patten was invited here, she chose not to be here. Let me finish. It’s disgraceful. You’re part of this disgraceful behavior. You’re part of it. Shame on you. Shame on you,” Danon shouted.

“I will speak and you will be silent. You will work for the UN and you will respect the UN rules. Respect the rules. We will not allow you to bully us. We are member states and you work for the UN and now you will be silent. You will be silent. It is a shame. You and your shameful report. We know why you took this position. We will not allow you to be part of this shameful campaign. I will finish my sentence. If you do not want to listen, leave.” continued.

THE UN REPORT TARGETING ISRAEL SAVED A REACTION, THE AUTHOR WAS ACCUSED OF EXCEEDING HIS DUTIES

Danon argued that Israel cooperated with the UN and that the organization did not independently review the evidence or give Israel a fair opportunity to address the allegations. He also accused Patten of lending credibility to a politically motivated campaign against Israel.

Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, speaks at the Security Council meeting on women, peace and security at United Nations Headquarters. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

“If it is not Ms. Patten’s responsibility to verify the facts, then what exactly is her responsibility?” he asked.

At the UN meeting, he said, “You knew that Israel cooperated. You knew that you did not examine the evidence yourself. But you chose to stand behind this lie. You should have said no. You should have resigned. You tried to tarnish Israel’s name. But the stain is not on Israel. The stain is on you.”

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION

Danon’s office also plans to file a formal complaint with the UN over Frazier’s interruptions during the meeting, according to Fox News Digital.

Fox News Digital contacted a spokesperson on behalf of Patten and Frazier but did not immediately receive a response.