Geneva (Switzerland): World Health Organisation ( WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has come out in support of UN chief Antonio Guterres following Israel's decision to declare him "persona non-grata," calling the decision "troubling and regrettable."
WHO chief also urged Israel to reverse its decision.
"Israel's decision to declare Secretary-General @antonioguterres persona non grata is troubling and regrettable. The @UN is vital for fostering unity and maintaining international peace and security. We urge a reversal of this decision and a renewed focus on peace efforts," Ghebreyesus posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
"@WHO fully supports Secretary-General and all @UN colleagues in their mission to provide humanitarian aid to those in need and to address the numerous conflicts impacting the world today. The best medicine is peace," he further added.
Israel Foreign Minister on Guterres
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Ghebreyesus' statement comes after Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday announced his country's decision to declare United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres persona non grata and banned him from entering Israel owing to his failure to "unequivocally condemn" Iran's missile attack.
Katz said that anyone who cannot condemn Iran's attack on Israel does not deserve to enter Israel. He said that Guterres has not yet condemned the massacre and sexual atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7.
In a post on X, Katz stated, "Today, I have declared UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres 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."
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Katz says Guterres yet to denounce Oct 7 attack
"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 Antonio Guterres," he added. (With agency inputs)
