Amid the widening scope of the dispute between the European Union and Israel, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez confirmed that his country’s government will officially recognize the Palestinian state at its meeting on Tuesday.
He also added that the Spanish government will recognize a Palestinian state that includes the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He stressed that his country would not recognize any change to the 1967 borders without the agreement of both Israelis and Palestinians, adding, “The only path to peace is the two-state solution.”
In addition, he stressed that the adoption of the decision to recognize the State of Palestine is in line with UN resolutions and is not directed against any party, describing the matter as a historic step that allows the Palestinians and Israelis to achieve peace.
Opening the crossings
He considered that the priority now lies in putting an end to the unprecedented crisis in the Gaza Strip, saying that the crossings must be opened.
Along with Spain, Ireland and Norway officially recognized the State of Palestine despite the angry reaction from Israel, which found itself increasingly isolated seven months after the outbreak of war in the Gaza Strip, according to Reuters.
However, Madrid, Dublin and Oslo saw their decision, which they announced last week, as a means to accelerate international efforts and urge other countries to follow suit by recognizing the Palestinian state.
This step is likely to raise the level of diplomatic protocols, so that the representative offices of these countries in the West Bank will become full embassies.
On the other hand, the decision of the three countries angered Tel Aviv, which withdrew its ambassadors from Madrid, Oslo and Dublin and summoned the ambassadors of the three countries to watch video clips showing Hamas militants detaining female soldiers.
It also prevented Spain from providing consular services to Palestinians in the West Bank and accused it of helping Hamas.
But Madrid did not back down and escalated its criticism of Israel, describing the conflict in Gaza as “a real genocide.”
It is noteworthy that about 144 of the 193 member states of the United Nations recognize the Palestinian state, including most countries of the Global South, Russia, China and India.
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