'Persona non grata': Israel bans UN chief from entering country

Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday said that he was barring United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres from entering Israel, accusing him of being biased against the country.

Katz said he was declaring Antonio Guterres "persona non grata" and said he would be prevented from entering Israel.

In a statement, the minister on X said, "Today, I have declared UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres 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."

"This is a Secretary-General who has yet to denounce the massacre and sexual atrocities committed by Hamas murderers on October 7, nor has he led any efforts to declare them 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. Israel will continue to defend its citizens and uphold its national dignity, with or without António Guterres," he added.

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs deputy spokesperson Alex Gandler too said that UN Chief Guterres has not been helpful in any way throughout Israel's conflict with Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah.

"United Nations Secretary General has been called persona non-grata by our Foreign Minister. There is a reason for that, the secretary general has not been helpful in any way throughout this conflict of ours with Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas. Not only that, he unfortunately stood on their side several times, just last night, instead of condemning the acts of Iran. He wished for this wonderful ...of peace in Middle East instead of pointing the finger at exactly the right culprit who were Iran shooting at civilians in Israel," he said.

Earlier in response to Iran's rocket barrage on Israel on Tuesday night the UN Chief had said, "I condemn the broadening of the Middle East conflict with escalation after escalation. This must stop. We absolutely need a ceasefire.."

The turmoil in West Asia escalated after Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles towards targets in Israel and the United States military coordinated closely with the Israeli Defence Forces to help defend Israel against the attack.

US Naval destroyers joined Israeli air defence units in firing interceptors to shoot down inbound missiles. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Iran's missile attack on his country as a "big mistake" and said "Tehran would pay for it."

"Iran made a big mistake today and will pay for it. The Iranian regime does not understand our determination to defend ourselves and our determination to take revenge on our enemies," he said.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson, RAdm. Daniel Hagari, described Iran's attack as a "severe and dangerous escalation."

"There will be consequences. We will respond wherever, whenever, and however we choose, in accordance with the directive of the government of Israel," said Hagari regarding Iran's large-scale attack.

On Wednesday, the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, spoke with the Commander of Centcom General Michael Erik Kurilla, regarding the current situation.