Israel declares UN leader persona non grata
Israel’s foreign minister said on Wednesday he was banning UN Secretary-General António Guterres from entering the country for failing to “unequivocally” condemn Iran’s missile attack on Israel.
Iran fired more than 180 ballistic missiles against Israel in a scenario of escalating fighting between its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah, and Israel. Many were intercepted in the air, but some penetrated missile defenses. No victims were recorded.
On Tuesday, Guterres issued a brief statement referring to the “latest attacks in the Middle East” and condemning the conflict “with escalation after escalation.” Earlier on Tuesday, Israel had sent troops to southern Lebanon.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Guterres’ failure to draw attention to Iran made him persona non grata in Israel.
“Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran’s heinous attack on Israel, as almost every country in the world has done, does not deserve to set foot on Israeli soil,” Katz said.
