Israel has banned UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres from entering the country, accusing him of failing to adequately condemn Iran’s missile attack on Israel. The decision was announced by Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, who issued a strongly worded statement denouncing Guterres for what he perceived as bias and support for terrorist groups.
The controversy erupted following a missile attack by Iran on Israel, part of the broader escalation of violence in the region. In response, Guterres condemned the growing conflict in the Middle East, lamenting the continued cycle of “escalation after escalation.” However, Israeli officials were angered by his remarks, particularly because he did not single out Iran for specific condemnation.
Katz accused Guterres of being “anti-Israel” and providing support to groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iran, which he described as the “mothership of global terror.” He further criticized Guterres for supporting “terrorists, rapists, and murderers,” stating that the UN chief would be remembered as a “stain on the history of the UN for generations to come.”
The diplomatic rift between Israel and the UN has been widening, especially in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attacks. Guterres has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in the conflict, urging both sides to halt the violence in Gaza and Lebanon. However, these calls have been met with frustration by Israeli officials, who view the UN’s stance as overly sympathetic to Palestinian groups and lacking sufficient support for Israel’s right to defend itself.
This latest development adds to the already strained relationship between Israel and the United Nations, with Israel often accusing the international body of being biased against it. Tensions have been further exacerbated by the UN’s frequent criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and its calls for restraint in the ongoing conflict.
Guterres’ broader appeal for a ceasefire and de-escalation in the region reflects the UN’s longstanding position on the Israel-Palestine conflict, but the Secretary-General’s refusal to explicitly condemn Iran’s role in the missile attack appears to have crossed a line for Israeli leadership. The diplomatic fallout from this decision could have long-lasting implications for Israel’s engagement with the United Nations and other international bodies.
