Israel angry at Spain and Belgium; ambassadors summoned

By Gamal Khattab November 25, 2023 2232

 Tensions Rise Between Israel and Spain and Belgium

Things have been heating up between Israel and Spain and Belgium. The prime ministers of these two countries criticized the devastating war in Gaza and called for the recognition of the State of Palestine. This didn't sit well with Israel, and they summoned the ambassadors of Spain and Belgium for a serious talk.

Israel Condemns Statements

The Israeli Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, strongly condemned the false allegations made by the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium. He accused them of supporting terrorism and expressed his disapproval of their statements. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office also condemned the prime ministers for not holding Hamas fully responsible for their crimes against humanity.

Spain Responds

In response to Israel's accusations, the Spanish Foreign Minister, Jose Manuel Albarez, summoned the Israeli ambassador in Madrid. He wanted to clarify the situation and called Israel's accusations false and unacceptable.

Statements by Spanish and Belgian Prime Ministers

The Spanish and Belgian prime ministers made their statements during a press conference at the Egyptian Rafah crossing on the Gaza Strip border. They had recently visited Israel and met with Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Spanish Prime Minister's Statement

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his strong disapproval of the indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians in Gaza. He called for a permanent ceasefire and urged Israel to take a comprehensive approach to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem. He also called for the recognition of a Palestinian state.

Belgian Prime Minister's Statement

The Belgian Prime Minister emphasized the importance of Israel respecting international humanitarian law and putting an end to the killing of civilians.

Spain and Belgium's Stance

Throughout the Israeli war on Gaza, the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium have been vocal within the European Union. They have consistently called for a ceasefire and the protection of human rights in Gaza. Their comments during their visit to Tel Aviv were in line with the message they conveyed to Netanyahu.

Source: agencies