Israeli ambassador Danny Danon confronted UN officials during a public hearing at the United Nations in New York on June 19, 2026, over a report that blacklisted Israel for alleged sexual violence against children in conflict zones [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Danon called for the resignation of Pramila Patten, the UN Secretary-General's special representative on sexual violence in conflict, accusing her of bias and accusing UN officials of targeting Israel. He shouted at Vanessa Frazier, the UN special representative for children and armed conflict, telling her, "We are a member state, and you work for the U.N., and you will be quiet now. You will be quiet ... you and your shameful report" [1]. Danon also said in Mandarin, "妳屈服於秘書長針對以色列的執念," which translates to "You caved to the secretary-general's obsession with targeting Israel." [2]
Patten's report, issued last month in May 2026, blacklisted Israel for the first time for alleged conflict-related sexual violence against children [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The report also lists Hamas alongside Israel. Following the report’s release, Israel’s foreign ministry vowed to sever ties with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres before his term ends in late 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Vanessa Frazier defended the UN findings during the hearing, warning that Israeli settler groups could also be added to the blacklist. She asked Danon to refrain from "personal attacks" and said the report was based on "verified evidence" [1]. Despite Danon's confrontation, Frazier stood by the report's findings.
UN Secretary-General Guterres expressed alarm at a "staggering" rise in violations against Palestinian children, stressing the importance of protecting children in conflict [1, 4]. Israel, along with Hamas, remains on the so-called "list of shame" annexed to UN reports documenting violations against children. [1, 4]
The hearing came on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict and marked an unprecedented public clash between Israel and UN officials over the contentious blacklist. Israel’s foreign ministry announced it will continue its diplomatic fallout with the UN Secretary-General as his term, spanning 10 years, approaches its end in late 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
