UN Condemns Israel’s Persona Non Grata Declaration

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United Nations: The United Nations criticized Israel’s recent declaration of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as persona non grata, describing it as another attack on UN personnel by the Israeli government.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated that while the declaration is viewed as a political statement, operational contacts between the UN and Israel would continue “because we need to.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz labeled Guterres an “anti-Israel secretary-general who lends support to terrorists,” following the UN chief’s call for a cease-fire amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Katz’s comments came after Guterres condemned a missile attack by Iran on Israel but did not issue an unequivocal condemnation of the act.

Dujarric noted that such a declaration against a UN chief is unprecedented, emphasizing that the UN does not recognize the concept of persona non grata for its staff. He highlighted that Guterres only visits member states upon their invitation and remarked that in his extensive career at the UN, he had never seen such language directed at a secretary-general.

The response from other diplomats was swift. France’s UN Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere and representatives from Russia, China, Malta, Slovenia, South Korea, and Algeria expressed their full support for Guterres, condemning Israel’s decision.

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia called it “unheard of” and a “slap” to the UN and the Security Council.

In contrast, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield did not comment on Guterres but reaffirmed strong support for Israel.

The growing international backing for Guterres reflects a shared commitment to maintaining the integrity of the UN amidst increasing tensions in the region.