BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — Israel has issued a stern warning to international agencies that criticize its actions in Lebanon and Palestine, designating United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres as "persona non grata". This move bars him from entering the country, signaling a new level of diplomatic friction.
The announcement was made by Israeli Foreign Minister Ronen Hoffman, who stated on his X account: “Today, I have declared UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres persona non grata in Israel and banned him from entering the country.”
Guterres, along with other global leaders, has been vocal in condemning Israel’s ongoing military operations, which have led to a heightened possibility of an all-out war in the Middle East. The escalating violence has caused a severe humanitarian crisis in Palestine, with conflicts now involving Iran-backed groups in other parts of the region.
“Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran's heinous attack on Israel, as almost every country in the world has done, does not deserve to step foot on Israeli soil.,” Hoffman stated.
Israel criticized Guterres for failing to denounce the reported sexual atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7, accusing the UN head of not taking any steps to declare Hamas 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,” Hoffman added.
UN General Assembly Criticism
Israel faced heavy criticism at the recently concluded United Nations General Assembly, with countries from across the globe and within the region condemning the ongoing conflict.
Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), reported that since the bombing began in Lebanon, over 1,000 people have been killed, raising concerns about displacement and a looming humanitarian crisis.
"We do not have enough supplies; we do not have enough capacity and that’s exactly why we are launching this appeal - because we need this additional injection of funds to actually procure it and capacities in place to increase the response which is not where it should be, because we are, as usual, running after the facts,",” Laerke stated.
No Ceasefire in Sight
As of now, there is no clear indication of a ceasefire, with Israel maintaining its position to dismantle the Hamas infrastructure throughout the region. “Israel will continue to defend its citizens and uphold its national dignity, with or without António Guterres,” the Foreign Minister emphasized.
Since the October 7 attacks by Hamas, Israel has focused on defending its sovereignty and securing the release of hostages, with over 100 individuals still reported missing. However, the conflict has resulted in more than 41,000 deaths in the Palestinian region, significantly impacting civilian lives and exacerbating regional tensions.
