The United Nations says it is "shocked and deeply disturbed" by an alleged sex video in a car belonging to its agency in Israel.
In the video clip, a woman dressed in red can be seen sitting on top of a man in the back seat of a white UN-marked jeep.
The video, which went viral on social media, was allegedly filmed on a main street near Tel Aviv's coast.
The United Nations says it is investigating the incident and is close to identifying those seen in the video. The United Nations says those involved are believed to be members of a peace organization in Israel.
Another passenger could see the person in the front seat lying down, but the driver could not be seen as the vehicle moved forward.
Stefan Dujarric, a spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, called the 18-second video "disgusting".
Speaking to the BBC on Friday, he said such an attitude was "against everything we are doing to stop the misconduct of UN staff."
When asked if the alleged sex was consensual or involved a money transaction, he said an investigation was under way and that the questions were part of it.
UN policies against sexual misconduct are strict.
If any of the agency's officials are found to have violated these rules, they could face disciplinary action, be deported, and be barred from participating in UN peacekeeping missions. However, it is their country's responsibility to take further disciplinary action against them.
The United Nations has long been criticized for sexual misconduct allegations against its peacekeeping missions and other staff.
Secretary-General Guterres has pledged a "zero tolerance" policy on sexual misconduct at the United Nations.
What does the spokesperson have to say on this video?
"We are shocked and deeply disturbed by what is seen in the video," said Stefan Dujarric.
He said an internal investigation was "rapidly underway". He added that the scene had been identified and the identities of those seen in the video were "nearing completion".
In recent years, the United Nations has faced allegations of sexual misconduct by its staff members.
Looking at the buildings seen in the video, it seems that the video was filmed in Highcon Street, a generally busy area near the coast.
"We hope that this phase will be completed soon and we intend to take appropriate action immediately," he said.
Stephen Dujarric said the men were probably linked to the United Nations Trustee Supervision Organization (UNTSO), which has been operating in the region since 1948.
Past UN record on sexual misconduct:-
Heather Barr, co-director of Human Rights Watch's women's rights division, said she was "not surprised" by the video from Israel.
Heather has worked for the United Nations in Burundi and Afghanistan. "It's good that they're investigating, but the problem at the UN is bigger than this video," he said.
"The issue is allegations of sexual harassment and violence by members of the UN staff," he said.
In 2019, UN staff members were charged with 175 counts of sexual violence and exploitation, according to a report. Evidence was found about 16 of them, about 15 were not found, and all the others are still under investigation.
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