Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, confronted Vanessa Frazier, the U.N. Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, about Frazier’s involvement in placing Israel on a blacklist for sexual violence. The confrontation occurred during a U.N. meeting marking the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. A report Frazier helped to author had listed Israel.
The exchange was heated, with both parties shouting over each other. Danon accused Frazier of yielding to pressure and the Secretary-General’s alleged fixation on targeting Israel. He argued that the involvement was part of a policy of bullying Israel, and expressed anger that Frazier suggested walking out during his speech.
The U.N. report mentioned Israeli entities such as the Israel Defense Forces, Israel Prison Services, and the Counter Terrorism Unit of the country’s border police. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres had labeled these parties as credibly suspected of involvement in patterns of rape or other sexual violence.
Danon had condemned the decision to add Israel to the blacklist and announced a freezing of relations with Guterres’ office. In response to the report, Danon’s office expressed that being grouped alongside organizations like Hamas, ISIS, and Boko Haram was morally disgraceful.
Danon also called for the resignation of U.N. Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, criticizing her absence from the meeting and accusing her of supporting a politically motivated campaign against Israel. He accused the U.N. of not independently reviewing the evidence or giving Israel a fair opportunity to respond to the allegations.
During the confrontation with Frazier, Danon questioned Patten’s responsibility and claimed the report was used to stain Israel’s reputation. However, he asserted that the stain remained with the U.N., not Israel.
Danon’s office plans to file a formal complaint with the U.N. over Frazier’s interruptions during the meeting. Fox News Digital reached out to Patten’s and Frazier’s offices but did not receive an immediate response.