Israeli Foreign Minister Declares UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Persona Non Grata

Riyadh, October 2, 2024 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Israel's Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, declared United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres persona non grata on Wednesday, effectively barring him from entering Israel. The move comes in response to what Katz described as Guterres’ failure to unequivocally condemn Iran’s recent missile attack on Israel, as well as his perceived support for terrorist organizations.

“Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran’s heinous attack on Israel does not deserve to set foot on Israeli soil,” Katz said in a statement. He further accused Guterres of consistently siding with anti-Israel forces and supporting groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and Iran. Katz’s sharp rebuke followed a series of remarks by Guterres that, according to the Israeli Foreign Minister, demonstrated bias against Israel throughout the conflict.

Katz criticized the UN leader for failing to strongly condemn Hamas’ actions during the October 7, 2023, attack and for not pushing for a UN resolution designating Hamas as a terrorist organization. “Guterres will be remembered as a stain on the history of the UN for generations to come,” Katz added. “Israel will continue to defend its citizens and uphold its national dignity, with or without Antonio Guterres.”

The announcement followed Guterres’ earlier call for a ceasefire, which his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, conveyed before Iran’s missile strikes on Tuesday. Guterres warned that an "all-out war must be avoided in Lebanon at all costs." He has not yet responded to the declaration by the Israeli government.