Why Did Israel Ban UN Chief Guterres? His Views on the Middle East Crisis Explained

Israel bans UN chief: The Israel foreign minister, Israel Katz, said that António Guterres who is the UN secretary-general has been banned from entering the country and has been announced as the persona non grata.

The reason behind Israel bans UN chief Guterres was because Guterres was unable to clearly condemn the missile attack from Iran and the Hamas attacks on October 7.

The foreign minister said that anyone who fails to condemn these actions will not be allowed in the country. He added that Israel will protect its citizens and protect its dignity with or without the UN chief’s support.

In a tweet shared by Israel Katz said, "Today, I have declared UN secretary-general @antonioguterres persona non grata in Israel and banned him from entering the country. 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."

Also Read: Iran Confirms 200 Missile Attack on Israel, Live Updates: Israel Vows Retaliation

What did Guterres say about the Iran and Israel conflict?

Soon after Iran fired missiles attack on Israel, the UN

He said in a tweet, "I condemn the broadening of the Middle East conflict with escalation after escalation. This must stop. We absolutely need a ceasefire.”

Guterres also shared his concerns about the conflict in Lebanon and told Israel to respect the sovereignty and integrity of Lebanon. He said, “I am extremely concerned with the escalation of the conflict in Lebanon and appeal for an immediate ceasefire. An all-out war must be avoided in Lebanon at all costs, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon must be respected.”

In a recent chat with AFP, he also shared his concerns for the situation in Gaza. He added, “The level of suffering we are witnessing in Gaza is unprecedented in my mandate as secretary-general of the United Nations. I’ve never seen such a level of death and destruction as we are seeing in Gaza in the last few months.”

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