Spain's consulate in Jerusalem stops providing services to Palestinians.
Beginning in June, Israel instructed the Spanish consulate in Jerusalem to cease giving assistance to Palestinians. The consulate will now only be permitted to "supply services to residents of the consular district in Jerusalem," as stated by the Israeli Foreign Ministry in a release. It is forbidden for the consulate to "perform consular activities for individuals of the Palestinian Authority."
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz declared that he had enacted "a preliminary measure" against the Spanish consulate in Jerusalem following the Spanish government's recognition of a Palestinian state. "We won't accept the breach of Israel's sovereignty and security," Katz emphasized. He made it clear that "those who bestow prizes on the radical Islamist Hamas and strive to create a Palestinian terrorist state will have no contact with the Palestinians."
Last week, Spain, Ireland, and Norway declared their intention to acknowledge a Palestinian state. The presidents of the three nations expressed their aim for May 28th. Israel criticized the expected acknowledgement after the violent assault by the extremist Islamic group Hamas on Israel on October 7th as "rewarding terrorism." American President Joe Biden also opposes "unilateral recognition" of a Palestinian state.
Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares defended his government's decision on Sunday. Recognizing a Palestinian state, he claimed, is a matter of "justice for the Palestinian people," yet also "the best security assurance for Israel."
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The Spanish consulate in Jerusalem is now only authorized to provide services to residents of its consular district, excluding Palestinians, according to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Israeli Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, mentioned that this move was a response to Spain's recognition of a Palestinian state. Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares justified his government's decision by stating that recognizing a Palestinian state is a matter of justice for the Palestinian people, while also ensuring the best security assurance for Israel.
Source: www.ntv.de
