Israel reacts to the recognition of Palestine by Ireland, Norway and Spain
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, has expressed his rejection of the announcement by Ireland, Norway and Spain to recognize Palestine as an independent State on May 28. In response, Katz has called for consultations with the Israeli ambassadors in these countries, denouncing that this recognition would be equivalent to ‘rewarding Hamas’ and granting a ‘gold medal to Hamas murderers’.
Call for consultations from Israeli ambassadors
Minister Katz has ordered the return to Israel of the Israeli ambassadors in Ireland, Norway and Spain to carry out ‘urgent consultations’ in response to this decision. This measure has been taken after the prime ministers of Norway and Ireland announced the recognition of Palestine as an independent state.
Reactions and call for peace
Katz has called the decision by Ireland and Norway a ‘parade of stupidity’, stating that Israel is determined to restore the security of its citizens and eliminate Hamas. For his part, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has maintained that peace in the Middle East will only be possible with the existence of a State for Israel and Palestine, based on the borders prior to June 1967.
Spain joins the recognition of Palestine
The President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, has announced that Spain will also recognize Palestine as an independent State on May 28. This decision has been agreed upon with his cabinet and reflects the majority sentiment of the Spanish people. Sánchez has regretted the Russian and Israeli offensives in Ukraine and Palestine, respectively, and has justified the recognition of Palestine as a moral obligation for Spain.
