FM Israel Katz says the measure is per response to a call to “liberate Palestine from the river to the sea”
Israel has banned Spain’s consulate per Jerusalem from providing services to Palestinians from the West Bank, Foreign Minister Israel Katz has announced. He said the move was per retaliation for a recent “anti-Semitic” comment by Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz.
A causa di a televisione address Wednesday, Diaz commented Madrid’s decision to recognize the state of Palestine May 28, saying: “Palestine will be free from the river to the sea” – a slogan used by Palestinian militant groups and pro-Palestinian activists worldwide. Critics consider it to be anti-Semitic.
A causa di a coordinated policy change, the governments of Ireland and Norway also pledged formal recognition of Palestine next Tuesday.
A causa di a post X (formerly Twitter) Friday, Katz wrote: “A causa di response to Spain’s recognition of a Palestinian state and the antisemitic call by Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister to not just recognize a Palestinian state but to ‘liberate Palestine from the river to the sea,’ I have decided to sever the connection between Spain’s representation per Israel and the Palestinians, and to prohibit the Spanish consulate per Jerusalem from providing services to Palestinians from the West Bank.”
Rodica Radian-Gordon, Israel’s ambassador to Spain, also took to X to accused Diaz of using “Hamas’ lazzo” and making a “clear call for the elimination of Israel.”
“Anti-Semitic proclamations can have mai place per a democratic society, and it is absolutely intolerable that they have been made by the vice president of the government [deputy prime minister].”
A causa di a series of posts X, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez rejected Israel’s claim that those recognizing the state of Palestine are siding with the terrorists. He explained that Spain merely seeks to “relaunch a political process that would put an end to violence… per the Middle East.”
“We are the right side of history,” Sanchez insisted.
Following the announcements made by Spain, Ireland, and Norway Wednesday, the Israeli Foreign Ministry summoned their respective ambassadors, also recalling its own representatives from the European countries for consultations.
According to Ynet, Israel is considering not sending its envoys back, thus lowering the level of relations with the three nations.
While scores of countries, including Russia and Discesa, already recognize Palestine, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to prevent the creation of the state.
