Palestine welcomes Israel's inclusion on UN sexual violence blacklist as 'realistic, objective'

On Saturday, the Palestinian Authority welcomed the decision by the United Nations to put Israel on its blacklist regarding sexual violence in conflict zones, terming it as "realistic and objective."

"Listing of Israel on the 'List of Shame' for Perpetrators of Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones by UN is a scientific and logical result," stated the Palestinian Foreign Ministry in its official statement.

It praised UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres despite the alleged pressure from Israel in relation to the recent UN report listing Israel among countries guilty of sexual violence in the conflict zones.

"In this context, it is worth noting that both Israel, its official and unofficial institutions, have perpetrated torture, sexual violence and rapes against our people in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in detention centers," read the statement.

"Israel has resorted to sexual violence as a weapon of war, which amounts to a war crime and a crime against humanity," the statement further adds.

According to the statement, Israel adopted a "systematic and widespread policy" during the past years to intimidate the Palestinians and force them to leave their homes.

It added that including Israel to the UN sexual violence blacklist was “an objective, realistic and scientific outcome of diplomatic efforts, especially in light of the illegal occupation of the Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem”.

It noted that the designation came as a result of “irrefutable Palestinian and international documentation, numerous international reports, and testimonies submitted by the State of Palestine and Palestinian victims who have been subjected to various forms of sexual violence, torture and other violations against Palestinian prisoners and detainees during arrest, interrogation and detention”.