No UN High Holiday message yet, Guterres sends ‘warmest' Yom Kippur wishes

UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a Yom Kippur message on social media, extending his "warmest wishes for a day of reflection, healing and peace." This marks his first apparent Yom Kippur message, following inquiries from JNS after he did not send a Rosh Hashanah greeting this year. JNS has previously highlighted the UN's practice of sending holiday messages to other faith groups but not consistently to Jews. Guterres had sent Rosh Hashanah greetings in previous years (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022). The UN has faced accusations of anti-Israel bias, with Jewish employees reporting difficulties since October 7. In 2024 and 2025, the UN also wished its followers a "blessed and peaceful Yom Kippur," a phrasing that differs from traditional Jewish greetings for the solemn holiday.