Israel bans UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres from entering country
What's the story
Israel has declared United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "persona non grata" and banned him from entering the country. The decision was announced by Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Israel Katz, on Wednesday amid a missile attack from Iran. In an X post, Katz said anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran's heinous attack on Israel does not deserve to step foot on Israeli soil.
Criticism voiced
Israel criticizes Guterres's silence on Hamas atrocities
Katz further criticized Guterres for his failure to denounce the massacre and sexual atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7. He also accused the UN chief of not leading any efforts to declare them a terrorist organization. "A Secretary-General who gives backing to terrorists, rapists, and murderers from Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and now Iran—the mothership of global terror—will be remembered as a stain on the history of the UN," Katz added.
Rising tensions
Iran retaliates with missile strikes, Israel vows response
The ban on Guterres came as Iran launched nearly 200 missiles at Israel on Tuesday, in retaliation for the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah. The missile strikes led millions of Israelis to seek shelter, and the skies over Tel Aviv were illuminated by the attacks. Despite warnings from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that Israel would "face heavy attacks" if it responded, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) vowed to retaliate for these missile strikes.
Ceasefire appeal
Guterres calls for ceasefire amid escalating conflict
In response to Iran's missile attack on Israel late Tuesday, Guterres denounced the "broadening conflict in the Middle East" and criticized the "escalation after escalation" in the region. He pressed on the urgent need for a ceasefire, saying, "This must stop. We absolutely need a ceasefire." Notably, Israel has been a vocal critic of the UN, with relations between the state and the international organization deteriorating further following Hamas attacks on October 7.