Blacklist of history: Israel reacts sharply to inclusion in UN 'list of shame' for children's rights abuse

The United Nations has added Israel to the global list of states and armed groups who have committed violations against children in the past year, the country's UN envoy Gilad Erdan confirmed.

Erdan said he was "shocked and disgusted" by the "shameful" decision to include Israel on this year’s list. It'spart of a report on children and armed conflict due to be presented to the UN security council next Friday.

"I am utterly shocked and disgusted by this shameful decision of the secretary-general," said Erdan.

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"Israel’s army is the most moral army in the world, so this immoral decision will only aid the terrorists and reward Hamas."

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement that the UN had "added itself to the black list of history when it joined those who support the Hamas murderers."

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Israel Katz, Israel’s foreign minister, also warned that the decision would have an impact on the country’s relations with the United Nations which are already very strained.

Israel is refusing to deal with the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the main organisation channeling aid to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

There have been claims by UN staff that Israel had been left off the list of offenders in previous years after political pressure from Israeli officials.

What makes a nation child rights violator?

The United Nations considers six grave violations as the basis of adding nation-states into the list of such countries. They are:

- Killing and maiming of children;

- Recruitment or use of children as soldiers;

- Sexual violence against children;

- Abduction of children;

- Attacks against schools or hospitals;

- Denial of humanitarian access for children

(With inputs from agencies)