Tensions surrounding the situation in the Middle East have escalated significantly, particularly after Israel declared UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres a “persona non grata.”
This decision prohibits him from entering Israel and the occupied territories, causing a wave of support for Guterres from various members of the UN Security Council (UNSC).
During an emergency session focused on the Middle East, the Council President, Pascale Baeriswyl, representing Switzerland, expressed strong support for Guterres.
Her comments were echoed by representatives from other countries on the Council, highlighting a united front in backing the Secretary-General. However, the United States did not join in this sentiment, as its permanent representative chose to ignore the solidarity shown by other members during her speech.
Algeria’s representative, Amar Bendjama, emphasised that Israel's action reflects its disregard for the UN and the broader international community. Meanwhile, Japan’s ambassador, Yamazaki Kazuyuki, thanked Guterres for his important briefing, recognizing the gravity of the situation.
The Israeli foreign minister, Israel Katz, justified the decision to label Guterres as unwelcome, stating that anyone who does not firmly condemn Iran's attacks on Israel does not deserve to enter the country.
Despite this, Guterres has condemned such attacks, reinforcing his stance during the Council meeting by denouncing the recent missile assault from Iran on Israel.
Guterres’ spokesperson described Israel’s actions as politically motivated. During his briefing, Guterres warned about the dangerous situation in the Middle East, stating that the ongoing violence is spiralling out of control. He urged the need to halt the continuous cycle of violence, which is pushing the region toward further chaos.
In his remarks, Guterres detailed the recent violent exchanges, including the conflict between Hamas and Israel, Israel's military actions against Hezbollah, and Iran's missile attacks on Israeli territories. He stressed that this cycle of retaliation must come to an end for the sake of peace and stability in the region.
The UNSC meeting took place shortly after a barrage of Iranian missiles targeted Israel. Following this, Israel launched a ground incursion into Lebanon in pursuit of Hezbollah, which has historical ties to Iran. Israel’s representative, Danny Dannon, condemned the missile attacks, likening them to the devastating air raids during World War II.
On the other hand, Iran’s representative, Amir Saied Iravani, defended the missile strikes, claiming they were a necessary response to Israel's aggressive actions over the preceding months.
This assertion reflects the broader narrative of self-defence that Iran often uses to justify its military engagements. The representative from Lebanon, Al-Sayyid Hadi Hashim, painted a dire picture of his country’s situation, caught between the destructive power of Israel and the regional ambitions of groups like Hezbollah, which are backed by Iran.
In response to these developments, the US representative, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, called on the Council to issue a unanimous condemnation of Iran for its attacks. She emphasised the need for serious consequences for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iran’s main military force with international operations.
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