Europe-Israel relations take a hit as Spain, Ireland and Norway prepare to formally recognize a Palestinian state
Israeli Foreign Minister Katz told Spain that its consulate in Jerusalem would not be allowed to help the Palestinians.
Meanwhile, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, a Spaniard, has thrown his full weight in support of the International Criminal Court, whose prosecutor is seeking an arrest warrant against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others, including Hamas leaders.
“The court prosecutor was severely intimidated and accused of anti-Semitism,” Borrell said. “The word anti-Semitism is very heavy. It's very important.”
Angry words abounded on Monday, as Katz accused Spain of “rewarding terrorism” by recognizing a Palestinian state and said that “the days of the Inquisition are over.” He pointed to the notorious Spanish institution begun in the 15th century to preserve the Roman Catholic faith that forced Jews and Muslims to flee, convert to Catholicism, or, in some cases, face death.
“No one will force us to change our religion or threaten our existence — those who harm us, we will harm them in return,” Katz said.
Although the European Union and its member states have been steadfast in condemning the Hamas-led attack on October 7, in which militants stormed the Gaza border into Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking some 250 hostage, the EU has been equally critical The Israeli attack that followed. The attack killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
The latest attacks focused on Rafah, where Palestinian health workers said Israeli air strikes killed at least 100 civilians. 35 people on Sunday It hit the tents of displaced people and left “many” others trapped under the smoldering rubble.
United Nations Supreme CourtOn Friday, the International Court of Justice called on Israel to stop its attack on Rafah immediately, even if it did not go so far as to order a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albarez said: “Israel must stop its attack in Rafah.”
Spain, Ireland and Norway, which are not members of the European Union, intend to formally announce their recognition of the Palestinian state on Tuesday. Their joint announcement last week sparked an angry reaction from Israeli authorities, who summoned the countries' ambassadors in Tel Aviv to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, where they were filmed showing videos of the October 7 Hamas attack and kidnapping.
Albarez criticized the treatment of the ambassadors. He said: “We reject what does not fall within diplomatic courtesy and the norms of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.”
He added, “But at the same time, we also agreed that we will not fall into any provocation that will distance us from our goal.” He added: “Our goal is to recognize the State of Palestine tomorrow, and to make every possible effort to reach a permanent ceasefire as soon as possible, as well as, in the end, to achieve that final peace.”
