The Diplomat
Yesterday, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned the Spanish ambassador in Tel Aviv, Ana Sálomon, as well as the ambassadors of Ireland and Norway, that the recognition of the State of Palestine by their respective governments will have “serious” consequences. in bilateral relations.
Israel called its ambassadors in Madrid, Dublin and Oslo for consultations this Wednesday after the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, announced before the Congress of Deputies that the Palestinian State will be recognized by Spain during the Council of Ministers on 28 May. Ireland and Norway will also take the same step on May 28, as the three governments have agreed. At the same time, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel, Israel Katz, summoned the ambassadors of these three countries in Tel Aviv.
During this second meeting, which took place yesterday, the director general of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Yaakov Blitshtein, conveyed to the three ambassadors that the recognition of Palestine will not favor the cause of peace in the region and will complicate the negotiations for the release of the hostages held by Hamas since the October 7 attacks. An example of this, he added, is the satisfaction publicly expressed by Hamas after the decision of the three countries.
According to the statement issued by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Yaakov Blitshtein warned the three ambassadors that the recognition of Palestine will have “serious” consequences on relations and that Israel could respond with additional measures, which are not specified.
During the meeting, the Ministry showed the three ambassadors a video published by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which shows the moment in which five women (of the total of 132 hostages) are kidnapped by Hamas during the attacks. on October 7. The five young women appear, in some cases, with their hands tied behind their backs and with bloody faces.
Request to recognize Catalonia and the Basque Country
For her part, Israeli deputy Sharren Haskel, from the right-wing New Hope party—founded by a former minister from Likud, Benjamin Netanyahu’s party—has addressed the prime minister and the Foreign Ministry to urge them to respond to Spain “with the same currency.”
In her account on her social network X, the deputy states: “I have sent a letter demanding the recognition of the Basque Country and Catalonia as independent countries.”
Haskel argues that “it is not possible for Spain to declare that the obligation of the international community is to respond to the demand of a people demanding independence, with a unique culture, language and characteristics, and ignore the demand of a local people. independent that asks for independence”.
According to the deputy, the people of Catalonia, the Basque Country, Galicia, Andalusia, Valencia, Aragon, the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands have shown their will for independence through peaceful means and democratic processes”, which is why she considers that “Spain has the responsibility and the duty to respect the will of his people. “She must engage in meaningful dialogue, recognize her aspirations and support her peaceful transition to independent states.”
“The State of Israel – he emphasizes – is the only model in the world where the natives of the land, who were expelled and persecuted for generations, returned to their land and homeland and established a national home that revived culture, religion and language. The State of Israel should bring light and hope to other peoples who ask for their independence.
The Israeli ambassador charges against Yolanda Díaz
On the other hand, the Israeli ambassador to Spain, Rodica Radian-Gordon, yesterday expressed her “rejection” for the statements of the second vice president of the Government, Yolanda Díaz, in which she used the slogan “From the river to the sea”, which represent a “clear call for the elimination of Israel, fomenting hatred and violence.”
“Our total rejection of the statements of Yolanda Díaz, second vice president of the government, when using the Hamas motto ‘From the river to the sea’,” declared the ambassador through the social network X. “This expression is a clear call to the elimination of Israel, fomenting hatred and violence,” he continued.
In a message through the same social network, Yolanda Díaz celebrated this past Wednesday the announcement made by the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, before the Congress of Deputies that the Palestinian State will be recognized by Spain during the Council of Ministers of the Next May 28th. In his message, Díaz affirmed that this step constitutes an “act of humanity,” but added that it is insufficient and concluded with the slogan “Palestine will be free from the river to the sea,” used by different Palestinian movements, including Hamas, and who advocates the disappearance of the State of Israel.
“Anti-Semitic proclamations have no place in a democratic society, and it is absolutely intolerable that they have been uttered by a vice president of the Government,” the ambassador warned. “I hope that Spain fulfills the commitment to fight against anti-Semitism that it acquired through the National Plan for the implementation of the European strategy to combat anti-Semitism and promote Jewish life,” she concluded.
In another message, Rodica Radian-Gordon referred to the decision of Israel Katz to call her for consultations. “I regret having to return to Israel due to some vain decisions adopted by the Spanish Government, which are not going to contribute to peace and security in the Middle East, nor are they going to facilitate the release of our 128 kidnapped people still in the hands of Hamas,” she declared. “Thank you very much to all the friends of Israel for your constant support. I hope that the ties of friendship between Israel and Spain are stronger than the voices that aspire to distance us,” she concluded.
For its part, the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain (FCJE) described as “unacceptable” the “institutional statement” made on its social networks by Yolanda Díaz “in which she defends the disappearance of Israel.” “The minister said ‘Palestine will be free from the river to the sea’, a slogan used by the terrorist organization Hamas and which represents the extermination of the Jewish State,” she added.
“This slogan was also used by her party colleague and minister Sira Rego and not only demonstrates her anti-Semitism but also promotes aversion towards Spanish Jews,” she continued. “The ministers, instead of working for the defense and security of Spaniards of Jewish religion, encourage rejection and hatred towards Jews,” the statement concluded.
Palestine thanks Spain
On the other hand, the Palestinian Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammad Mustafa, spoke yesterday by telephone with his Spanish counterpart, José Manuel Albares, to thank him for “Spain’s recognition of the State of Palestine,” according to the head of Spanish diplomacy through X. “Spain will continue working for the security and prosperity of everyone in the Middle East. For justice, for peace and for pure humanity,” he added.
