Norway backs UN chief after Israel declares him ‘persona non grata’

Norway yesterday announced its support for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres following Israel’s declaration of him as “persona non grata” and banning him from entering the country, Anadolu reported.

In a post on X, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said “Norway stands firmly behind UNSG in his defence of the UN Charter and efforts to maintain peace and security.”

He added, “I strongly oppose attempts by Israel to undermine the UNSG and the UN.”

“The crises we face in the Middle East, call for a strong UN, with our full backing.”

Norway stands firmly behind UNSG @antonioguterres in his defense of the UNCharter and efforts to maintain peace&security. I strongly oppose attempts by Israel to undermine the UNSG and the UN. The crises we face, incl. in Middle East, call for a strong UN, with our full backing.

— Jonas Gahr Støre (@jonasgahrstore) October 3, 2024

On Wednesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz declared Guterres “persona non grata” in Israel, barring him from entry to the occupation state due to what Tel Aviv perceived as his “failure to mention or condemn Iran’s attack on Israel.”

Israel launched a number of air strikes on southern Beirut on Friday last week killing Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, which Iran vowed to retaliate for. On Tuesday it launched hundreds of missiles at Israel causing casualties, material damage, and the closure of airspace, and forcing millions of Israelis to rush to shelters.

Read: UN Security Council expresses ‘unwavering’ support to UN chief after Israel bans him