‘Be Quiet or Get Out’: Israeli Envoy Danny Danon Clashes With UN Officials During Heated Hearing (Watch Video)
The clash broke out after Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon used the forum in New York to demand the resignation of Pramila Patten, the UN secretary-general's special representative on conflict-related s*xual violence. Patten had recently authored a report placing Israel on a UN blacklist for alleged s*xual violence violations linked to the conflict, marking the first time the country has been listed.
A public hearing at the United Nations turned into a heated shouting match on Friday between Israel's envoy and senior UN officials, exposing the deepening rift between Tel Aviv and the world body.
The clash broke out after Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon used the forum in New York to demand the resignation of Pramila Patten, the UN secretary-general's special representative on conflict-related s*xual violence. Patten had recently authored a report placing Israel on a UN blacklist for alleged s*xual violence violations linked to the conflict, marking the first time the country has been listed. Israel-Hamas War: Gaza Death Toll Surpasses 73,000 Despite Fragile Ceasefire, Says Health Ministry.
Danon Confronts UN Chief's Representative
The confrontation unfolded at a hearing marking the International Day for the Elimination of S*xual Violence in Conflict, where Danon and Patten came face to face.
"You caved to the secretary-general's obsession with targeting Israel," Danon said, referring to UN chief Antonio Guterres.
The comment drew an immediate response from Vanessa Frazier, Guterres' representative for children and armed conflict, who raised a point of order and accused Danon of launching "personal attacks." Frazier defended her office's findings, insisting they were grounded in verified evidence. Gaza Peace Deal: First Phase of Ceasefire Agreement Between Israel and Hamas Goes Into Effect, Says Report.
Danon hit back forcefully, telling the official to stop speaking.
"We are a member state, and you work for the UN, and you will be quiet now. You will be quiet... you and your shameful report," the Israeli envoy said.
"We know why you took this position. We will not allow you to be part of this shameful campaign. I will finish my words," he continued, as Frazier interjected and meeting organisers called for order.
"If you don't want to listen, go out," he snapped.
Tensions Tied to Gaza War Allegations
The heated exchange, which broke with diplomatic norms, reflects Tel Aviv's mounting frustration with a string of UN reports alleging violations by Israeli forces during the war in Gaza.
Danny Danon Clashes With UN Officials
Watch @dannydanon rightly put Vanessa Frazier (UN Rep for Children & Armed Conflict) in her place as he tried to respond to the asinine and lie-based decision to blacklist Israel for committing sexual violence in conflict zones.
The UN Israel-obsession is truly beyond control. pic.twitter.com/AWp7x9BrrC
— Shawn Eni (@ShawnEni) June 19, 2026
Frazier's report, released this week on behalf of Guterres, warned that Israeli settler groups could also be added to a global blacklist for grave violations against children. The report cited what the UN chief called a "staggering" rise in violations against Palestinian children. Israel already appears in the report's so-called "list of shame" annexes over alleged violations against children.
Last month, following the release of Patten's report, Danon dismissed the findings as politically driven.
"This is a political decision! Disconnected from the facts and reality!" he wrote on X, calling the report "a new low."
Israel's Foreign Ministry has also vowed to cut ties with Guterres, whose second and final term as secretary-general ends later this year.
Both Reports Also Name Hamas
Both Patten's and Frazier's reports list Hamas, the Palestinian militant group behind the October 7 attack on Israel that triggered the war in Gaza, alongside Israel.
Last August, in his annual report on conflict-related s*xual violence to the UN Security Council, Guterres placed both Israel and Russia "on notice" over potential inclusion on the list of parties "credibly suspected of committing or being responsible for patterns of rape or other forms of s*xual violence."
The UN chief said the warning stemmed from "significant concerns regarding patterns of certain forms of s*xual violence that have been consistently documented" by the organisation.
Danon rejected the allegations at the time as unfounded.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 20, 2026 10:59 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
