Israel bars U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres from entering country

Israel's foreign Minister on Wednesday said that the country was barring U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres from entering because he had not "unequivocally" condemned Iran's missile attack on Israel.

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.



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.

Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz, said Guterres' failure to call out Iran made him persona non grata in Israel.


"Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran's heinous attack on Israel, as nearly all the countries of the world have done, does not deserve to set foot on Israeli soil," Katz said.

"Israel will continue to defend its citizens and uphold its national dignity, with or without Antonio Guterres.