2023-11-24 17:01:17
The Israeli Foreign Ministry has summoned the ambassadors of Spain and Belgium this Friday as reprisal for the statements made in recent hours by the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sanchezand the Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, since they consider that it represents “implicit support for Hamas’ terrorist attacks.”
Sánchez once again insisted this Friday on the objective of recognizing the sovereignty of a Palestinian state, as he advanced in his investiture speech. However, during his visit to the Rafah border crossing, which links Egypt with Gaza, he warned that if the European Union does not reach an agreement, Spain “will make its own decisions.”
After the diplomatic failure of his visit to Israel, with reproach from President Netanyahu included, Sánchez has reiterated his proposal on the recognition of the State of Palestine. And as a sign of his commitment, he has been open to doing so even without his European partners.
“The time has come for the international community and the European Union to once and for all recognize the State of Palestine. It is something that is worthwhile, that is important enough and that the EU has to do together. But if this It is not the case, Spain will make its own decisions“, he added in the last act of his visit to the Middle East together with the Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander de Croo.
Sánchez’s statements occurred at the Rafah Pass, precisely minutes before the arrival at that same place of 13 women and children released by the terrorist group Hamas after 49 days of kidnapping.
Israel summons the ambassadors of Spain and Belgium
Minutes after learning of Sánchez’s statements, the Israeli Foreign Ministry sent a statement to announce that it had summoned the ambassadors of Spain and Belgium for “a harsh rebuke conversation.” They also affirm that they consider that Sánchez’s statements represent “implicit support for the Hamas attack.” The minister himself, Eli Cohen, was the one who gave the order to convey a “reprimand” to the Spanish ambassador, Ana María Salomón Pérez, and the Belgian representative, Jean-Luc Bodson.
We condemn the false claims of the Prime Ministers of Spain and Belgium who are giving support to terrorism and following their words their ambassadors will be invited to a harsh rebuke conversation.
Israel is acting according to international law and fighting a murderous terrorist organization worse than ISIS that commits war crimes and crimes against humanity.
We will resume fighting after the ceasefire…— Eli Cohen Eli Cohen (@elicoh1) November 24, 2023
“Israel is acting in accordance with International Law and fighting a terrorist organization worse than the Islamic State that commits war crimes and crimes against humanity“, reported the Israeli Foreign Ministry in a statement.
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Also the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahuhas “roundly” condemned the statements of Sánchez and De Croo, including the assertion that the current ceasefire “It is not enough, a permanent one is needed“. He considers that the two leaders did not clearly point out Hamas for the crimes committed. They also criticize that Sánchez did not denounce in Egypt the attacks against Israeli citizens and the use of Palestinian civilians as “human shields,” his office reported.
Prime Minister Netanyahu strongly condemns the comments of the leaders of Belgium and Spain, who did not attribute full responsibility to Hamas for the crimes against humanity it perpetrated: massacring Israeli citizens and using Palestinians as shields…
— Israel in Spanish (@IsraelinSpanish) November 24, 2023
Likewise, the Ministry headed by Eli Cohen, has reiterated that Israel plans resume fighting in the Gaza Strip once the current agreement to release hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners is completed.
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