IDF is guilty of violations against children, says UN

The Israeli military has been added to a global list of offenders who have committed violations against children, according to the country's United Nations envoy, who branded the decision “shameful”. The list is part of a report on children and armed conflict that is due to be submitted to the UN Security Council next Friday.

- JANE DALTON

“I am utterly shocked and disgusted by this shameful decision of the secretary general,” said envoy Gilad Erdan. “Israel’s army is the most moral army in the world, so this immoral decision will only aid the terrorists and reward Hamas.”

Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for secretary general Antonio Guterres, who took the decision, declined to comment. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the UN had “added itself to the black list of history when it joined those who support the Hamas murderers”. Foreign minister Israel Katz said it would affect the country’s relations with the UN.