Over 100 states rebuke Israel for declaring UN chief persona non grata

Over 100 UN member states have signed a letter in support of the organization’s chief, Antonio Guterres, denouncing the Israeli government’s decision to bar him from entering the country.

The petition was initiated by Chile after Israel declared the UN secretary-general persona non grata on October 2, accusing him of failing to “unequivocally condemn” Iran.

Following Iran’s attack, Guterres stated that he was “extremely concerned with the escalation of the conflict in Lebanon,” and condemned the broader intensification of the Middle East conflict with “escalation after escalation.” 

He later said it “should have been obvious” that he condemns “yesterday’s massive missile attacks by Iran on Israel.”

In a letter released by Chile’s Foreign Ministry on Friday, reportedly signed by a coalition of 104 UN nations and the African Union, the members expressed “deep concern” and “condemnation of the recent statement from the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs,” arguing that “such actions undermine the United Nations’ ability to carry out its mandate, which includes mediating conflicts and providing humanitarian support.”

“In the Middle East, this could further delay an end to all hostilities and hinder the establishment of a credible path toward a two-state solution,” the letter stated, adding that Guterres’ work “remains crucial to ensuring dialogue, facilitating humanitarian efforts, and promoting peace and stability worldwide.”

The signatories reaffirmed their “full support and confidence” in Guterres and his commitment to “peace and security” and to “promoting respect for international humanitarian law,” calling for “meaningful dialogue” to end the hostilities and achieve lasting peace in the Middle East.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz defended the decision to blacklist Guterres, claiming that it was prompted by his repeated “antisemitic and anti-Israeli behavior” and would not be reversed.

“Guterres can continue trying to gather signatures in his support within the United Nations, but the decision will remain unchanged,” Katz said on X on Saturday.