The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has been officially banned from entering Israel after failing to condemn a recent attack launched by Iran on Israel, involving over 180 ballistic missiles. The Israeli military reported no injuries despite the scale of the attack.
Israel's Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, announced the ban, expressing deep dissatisfaction with Guterres' response, particularly his silence on both the Iranian assault and previous actions by Hamas and other groups considered terrorist organizations by Israel.
Katz stated, "Today, I have declared UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres persona non grata in Israel. 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 foot on Israeli soil."
The Foreign Minister further criticized Guterres for not condemning the October 7 attacks by Hamas, which involved massacres and sexual violence. Katz emphasized that Israel would continue to defend itself, regardless of the Secretary-General's position, concluding, "Israel will continue to defend its citizens and uphold its national dignity, with or without António Guterres."
The ban marks a significant diplomatic rift, as Israel insists on more robust international condemnation of actions by groups like Hamas and Iran, which it views as threats to its sovereignty and security.
