Israel has banned UN Secretary-General António Guterres from entering the country after accusing him of failing to condemn Iran’s attacks. On October 2, Israeli authorities declared Guterres as ‘persona non grata,’ meaning he will not receive the usual diplomatic privileges that come with his role. Israel’s government has harshly criticized Guterres, stating that he will be remembered as a disgrace in the history of the United Nations.
Various media outlets, including The Guardian and BBC, reported that Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, made the announcement on social media. Katz stated that Guterres was banned because he did not clearly denounce Iran’s recent attacks, which most countries have done. Katz added that anyone who cannot condemn such acts does not deserve to step foot in Israel.
The decision comes in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which led Israel to launch a military operation in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the taking of 251 hostages. Katz also criticized Guterres for not condemning the violence and atrocities committed by Hamas and for not taking action to declare Hamas a terrorist organization. Despite Guterres’ stance, Katz affirmed that Israel will continue to protect its citizens and uphold its national dignity.
Last year, Guterres did condemn the attack by Hamas, describing it as horrific and unjustifiable. However, he also mentioned that the attacks did not occur in isolation, noting that Palestinians have been living under Israeli occupation for 56 years. This statement angered many in Israel.
Meanwhile, according to Hamas authorities, Israeli military operations in Gaza since the October 2023 attack have resulted in over 41,000 deaths. There have also been tensions between Israel and the UN over the role of UNRWA, the agency responsible for Palestinian refugees. Last month, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution calling for an end to Israel’s decades-long occupation of the West Bank, with widespread international support.
Source : NTV
