NEW YORK: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has affirmed its complete support for UN chief Antonio Guterres, and stated any decision not to interact with him and his office is counterproductive.
Earlier, on Wednesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Katz banned the UN Secretary General from entering the country. Israel declared the Secretary General to be persona non grata and quoting as a reason what he described as the UN Secretary General’s failure to denounce the Iranian missile strike against Israel on Tuesday.
UNSC and Israel
In a statement, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN chief, described Katz’s statement as political and “just one more assault on UN officials from Israel.” He said that the concept of “persona non grata” does not apply to officials of the United Nations.
Addressing an emergency meeting of the UNSC on Wednesday, he said he had denounced a similar attack against Israel by Iran in April. The UN Chief added he again condemned yesterday’s massive missile strike by Iran. The UN chief criticized Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip, describing these operations as “the most deadly as well as destructive military operations in my years as UN chief.”
Switzerland holds the presidency of the UNSC this month. The nation’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Pascale Baeriswyl, stated on Thursday that members of the UNSC stressed the need for all countries to “have a productive and effective relationship with the UN Chief and to refrain from any actions that undermine his office and work.”
She further said that the members of the UNSC further underscored that any decision not to engage with the UN Chief or the UN is counterproductive, particularly in the context of escalating tensions in the region of Middle East.
