TEL AVIV – Israel has officially barred United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres from entering the country, accusing him of supporting terrorism after his perceived failure to condemn recent Iranian missile strikes on Israel.
In a strongly-worded statement, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz announced the decision, citing Guterres’ lack of a direct condemnation of Iran’s actions as the reason for the ban. “Anyone who cannot denounce Iran’s attack is unfit to enter Israel,” Katz remarked. He went on to criticize the UN leader, calling him “anti-Israel” and accusing him of backing terrorists, rapists, and murderers.
The controversy follows a recent social media post by Guterres, in which he expressed deep concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East. “I strongly condemn the rising conflict in the region,” Guterres wrote. “This must end immediately. A ceasefire is urgently needed.”
Guterres’ failure to specifically condemn Iran’s missile attack on Israel appears to have fueled the Israeli government’s decision, intensifying diplomatic strains between the UN and Israel. The Israeli government views Guterres’ neutral stance as inadequate in addressing the gravity of the situation.
The move marks a rare diplomatic escalation, signaling growing frustration between Israel and the United Nations over how regional conflicts, particularly involving Iran, are being handled. It remains to be seen how the UN will respond to this unprecedented ban on its Secretary-General.
