Israel Bans UN Chief Antonio Guterres Over Silence on Iran’s Missile Attack

Jerusalem: Israel has barred United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres from entering the country, criticising his failure to “unequivocally condemn” Iran’s recent missile attack, Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday.

Katz, speaking to Reuters, stated, “Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran’s heinous attack on Israel, as nearly all the countries have done, does not deserve to set foot on Israeli soil.”

Today, I have declared UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres persona non grata in Israel and banned him from entering the country.

Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran’s heinous attack on Israel, as almost every country in the world has done, does not deserve to step…

— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) October 2, 2024

The decision follows Iran’s launch of over 400 missiles at Israel, forcing civilians to take cover in bomb shelters and leading to a temporary closure of the country’s airspace.

In response to the escalating conflict, Guterres expressed concern but avoided directly naming Iran. On X, he posted, “I condemn the broadening of the Middle East conflict with escalation after escalation. This must stop. We absolutely need a ceasefire.”

Katz further declared that Guterres’ lack of explicit criticism towards Iran has made him “persona non grata” in Israel.