Israel’s Foreign Minister announced on Wednesday, October 2, that U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres has been barred from entering the country. This decision stems from Guterres’ failure to “unequivocally condemn” a recent missile attack launched by Iran against Israel.
Israel Denies Entry To U.N. Secretary
Why In News
- Israel’s Foreign Minister announced on Wednesday, October 2, that U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres has been barred from entering the country. This decision stems from Guterres’ failure to “unequivocally condemn” a recent missile attack launched by Iran against Israel.
What Happened
- Iran fired a massive salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday night, sending almost 10 million people into bomb shelters as projectiles and interceptors exploded in the skies above.
- Soon after the attack, which was largely unsuccessful, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Tehran that it had made “a big mistake” and “will pay for it.”
All You Need To Know
- Iran fired more than 180 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday as the situation escalated between Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Israel.
- No casualties were reported as many missiles were intercepted mid-air. However, a few penetrated the iron dome.
- Katz declared Guterres persona non grata on the platform X, stating, “Today, I have banned UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres from entering Israel. Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran’s heinous attack on Israel does not deserve to step foot on Israeli soil.”
- He criticized Guterres for not denouncing Hamas’s actions during the October 7 attacks and accused him of showing support for groups labeled as terrorists.
- Guterres issued a brief statement on Thursday referencing only the “latest attacks in the Middle East” and condemning the conflict “with escalation after escalation”. Israel had earlier sent troops into south Lebanon.
- “Israel will continue to defend its citizens and uphold its national dignity, with or without Antonio Guterres.
