The decision follows a the missile attack launched by Iran on Israel, which involved over 180 ballistic missiles.
Despite the scale of the attack, there were no reported injuries, according to the Israeli military.
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, announced the ban, expressing dissatisfaction with Guterres’ response.
Katz criticized the UN leader for not condemning the Iranian attack, as well as for not addressing previous actions by Hamas and other groups Israel considers terrorist organizations.
The minister revealed that Israel would continue to defend itself and protect its sovereignty, regardless of the Secretary-General’s stance.
Katz wrote:
“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.
“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 António Guterres.”