In a strong statement on his verified Twitter account, Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz criticized United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres for not supporting Israel’s actions against Hamas.
Katz specifically mentioned Guterres’ refusal to welcome the elimination of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, whom Israel views as an arch-terrorist responsible for attacks on Israeli civilians.
Katz’s criticism extends beyond this event, accusing Guterres of failing to declare Hamas a terrorist organization after the October 7 massacre, when Hamas militants launched a large-scale assault on Israel. “Guterres is leading an extreme anti-Israel and anti-Jewish agenda,” Katz wrote, reflecting growing frustration within the Israeli government over what they perceive as biased treatment from international organizations like the UN.
As part of Israel’s response, Katz reiterated that Guterres would continue to be designated as persona non grata and would be barred from entering Israel. This comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and global bodies like the United Nations, which have frequently criticized Israeli actions in Gaza, while Israel argues that such criticism ignores the terror threats it faces from Hamas.