The Diplomat
In the midst of a stir over the call by the Minister of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030, Pablo Bustinduy, to Spanish companies with interests in Israel so that they do not “contribute to the genocide in Palestine”, the Spanish rectors announced yesterday the suspension of agreements with Israeli universities that do not express a “firm commitment” to peace and the Israeli Embassy has accused the Reina Sofía Art Center of anti-Semitism.
Bustinduy demanded this past Monday in a letter to Spanish companies with interests in Israel to adopt all necessary measures to guarantee that with their activity they do not contribute to “the flagrant violations of Human Rights that the State of Israel is committing in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. including the Gaza Strip, against the Palestinian population”, a situation that the minister describes as “genocide”.
The letter has not gone down well with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, especially after Sumar’s ministers in the Government, starting with the second vice president and leader of the party, Yolanda Díaz, and followed by Bustinduy himself and the minister of Children and Youth, Sira Rego, have openly shown their rejection of “the atrocities” of Israel in Gaza and have begun to pressure the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, to take the step of recognizing the State of Palestine and adopt measures against Israel.
In statements to the media before appearing in the Senate, Pablo Bustinduy assured yesterday that he has no intention of “fueling any controversy” with the socialist part of the Government, but assured that his call to companies is in line with the position of the Executive to “stop the unbearable barbarism” in the Gaza Strip. “It goes precisely in the direction of contributing to putting an end to the situation of human rights violations that the Palestinian people are suffering,” he continued.
“I want, in that sense, to also highlight the position of the Spanish Government, which has been unanimously recognized as one of the bravest and most active governments to put an end to this situation,” declared Bustinduy, who expressed his hope that the recognition of the Palestinian State occurs as soon as possible because it “transcends the symbolic” and would be a “courageous and decisive” contribution so that the Palestinian people have a “legitimate and recognized” voice in favor of their right to a “peaceful and free” existence. .
For his part, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, declared yesterday, regarding Bustinduy’s letter, that he has no interest in “expanding any controversy or controversy” that could “distract the focus from what is important,” which is the situation of the Palestinian people, and therefore warned the Minister of Social Rights that “we all have to focus right now on what is truly essential.”
“What is truly essential is the ceasefire, the release of the hostages, access for humanitarian aid and the implementation of the two-state solution,” he told the media before participating in an event for Europe Day with the High Representative for EU Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell. “The entire Government is united in the search for peace in the Middle East,” he assured.
The president of CEOE, Antonio Garamendi, said yesterday, when asked during the 5th International Forum Expansión, that he “would like to know” whether Minister Bustinduy’s letter is “in an individual capacity” or is from the Government.
The CRUE
On the other hand, the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE) released a statement yesterday in which it announced its intention to review and suspend “collaboration agreements with Israeli universities and research centers that have not expressed a firm commitment.” with peace and compliance with international humanitarian law.”
Likewise, they expressed their support for the “feeling” of the university camps that have been taking place on campuses in recent days to put a stop to the “escalation of violence” and committed to “intensify cooperation with the scientific and higher education system.” Palestinian” and to expand all cooperation, volunteering and care programs for the refugee population.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Embassy in Spain yesterday accused, through social networks, the Reina Sofia Museum of hosting “a cycle of activities calling for the annihilation of Israel”, in solidarity with Gaza and against “the genocide, the massacre and ethnic cleansing.” The cycle has the slogan: “From the river to the sea”. According to the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain (FCJE), this motto has been “considered anti-Semitic by the United States House of Representatives, it represents the elimination of Israel and its inhabitants” and “it also appears on maps in various concentrations and that erase Israel.”
