Israel Slams Travel Ban On UN Chief, Guterres Over Iran

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has banned United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres from entering Israel.

The announcement was made through Katz’s social media account on X, previously known as Twitter.
This decision comes in response to what Katz characterised as Guterres’ failure to condemn Iran’s missile strike on Israel. This attack was reportedly in retaliation for the deaths of prominent figures, including Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s leader; Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas; and Abbas Nilforoushan, a senior commander in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Katz stated, “Today, I have decided to declare UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres persona non grata in Israel and to prohibit his entry. Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran’s criminal attack on Israel, as nearly every other nation has done, does not deserve to enter Israeli territory.”

He also criticised Guterres for not denouncing the Hamas attacks on October 7, which involved acts of extreme violence and sexual assault, and for not facilitating the official designation of Hamas as a terrorist organisation.

“A Secretary-General who supports the terrorists, rapists, and murderers of Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and now the global terrorist sponsor, Iran, will be remembered as a stain on the history of the United Nations,” Katz remarked.

He concluded with a firm stance on Israel’s commitment to its citizens, stating, “Israel will continue to defend its citizens and uphold its national honour—whether Antonio Guterres is involved or not.”

Complete statement: “I have decided today to declare UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres an undesirable figure in Israel and to ban his entry into the country. Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran’s criminal attack on Israel, as nearly all other nations have, does not merit stepping foot on Israeli soil.

“This is a Secretary-General who has yet to denounce the atrocities and sexual violence committed by Hamas on October 7 and has not taken steps to officially label them a terrorist organisation.

“A Secretary-General who provides support to the terrorists, rapists, and murderers of Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and now to the primary sponsor of global terrorism, Iran, will be remembered as a blot on the legacy of the United Nations.

“Israel will continue to safeguard its citizens and maintain its status and national dignity with or without Antonio Guterres.”