Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, announced Wednesday that United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is no longer welcome in Israel due to his failure to unequivocally condemn Iran’s recent missile attack.
This decision comes after Iran fired over 180 ballistic missiles into Israel on Tuesday, marking a significant escalation in the conflict between the two nations.
World leaders have condemned Iran’s actions, with US President Joe Biden ordering the US military to aid Israel’s defense and intercept Iranian missiles. The US, G7 members, and other nations have unequivocally condemned the attack, with many calling for restraint and a ceasefire.
*International Reaction*
– *US*: Secretary of State Antony Blinken deemed the attack “totally unacceptable”.
– *Spain*: Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called for an end to the “spiral of violence”.
– *France*: President Emmanuel Macron condemned Iran’s actions and mobilized military resources to counter Tehran.
– *UK*: Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed strong condemnation and reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to Israeli security.
– *Japan*: Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba labeled the missile attacks “unacceptable”.
Guterres condemned the broadening conflict in the Middle East, urging a ceasefire. However, Israel’s Foreign Minister Katz stated that Guterres’ failure to specifically condemn Iran made him persona non grata in Israel.
