Israel Reprimands European Ambassadors Over Palestinian State Recognition

Israel on Thursday reprimanded the ambassadors of Spain, Norway, and Ireland over their governments’ plan to recognize a Palestinian state — a decision that Israeli officials described as a “reward for terrorism.”

Spain, Norway, and Ireland on Wednesday announced coordinated plans to officially recognize a Palestinian state on May 28, next Tuesday. Leaders of all three countries argued such a move would help foster a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and lead to lasting peace in the region, explaining that the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza accelerated their plans.

The announcements drew fury from Israel, which recalled its ambassadors from the three European nations for immediate consultations.

“If Israel has learned anything in recent months, it is that our children deserve a better, safer future — not the resurrection of old, failed policies created by blindsided back-seat drivers abroad,” Israeli government spokesperson Avi Hyman said.

“A recognition of a Palestinian state does not promote peace. It perpetuates war,” he told reporters. “Any kind of so-called solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that compromises Israel’s security does not mean peace. There will be zero compromise on our security.”

The three envoys were summoned to meet with Israeli Foreign Ministry Director-General Yaakov Blitshtein in Jerusalem. During the meeting, the ambassadors were shown a newly released video of the moments when five female Israeli soldiers were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists in southern Israel on Oct. 7.

In the video, Hamas terrorists force the young women, some of whom are teenagers, against a wall and threaten to kill them.

The Spanish and Irish ambassadors — Maria Salomon Perez and Sonya McGuinness, respectively, both women — were visibly affected by the distressing images, according to media reports.

The Norwegian ambassador, Per Egil Selvaag, had hosted Vivian Silver, one of the victims of the Oct. 7 massacre, less than a week before she was killed.

Israel has also recalled its own ambassadors in Madrid, Oslo, and Dublin for consultations.

Israeli leaders were quick to castigate the decisions of the European countries to recognize a Palestinian state.

“The intention of several European countries to recognize a Palestinian state is a reward for terrorism. Eighty percent of the Palestinians in [the West Bank] support the terrible massacre of Oct. 7,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement, referencing Palestinian polling that has shown widespread support for Hamas’ atrocities. “This evil cannot be given a state. This would be a terrorist state. It will try to repeat the massacre of Oct. 7 again and again; we will not consent to this. Rewarding terrorism will not bring peace and neither will it stop us from defeating Hamas.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz expressed similar sentiments on social media.

Ireland, if your goal was to reward terrorism by declaring support for a Palestinian state, you’ve achieved it.@SimonHarrisTD, Hamas thanks you for your service. pic.twitter.com/mgz7ZGtnCi

— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) May 23, 2024

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters on Wednesday that the US supports a two-state solution but believes it should be brought about through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

“President Biden … has been equally emphatic on the record that that two-state solution should be brought about through direct negotiations through the parties, not for unilateral recognition,” Sullivan said.

Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné said in a statement that the conditions to officially recognize a Palestinian state have not yet been met.

“Our position is clear: the recognition of Palestine is not taboo for France,” Séjourné said after a meeting with his Israeli counterpart in Paris.

“This is not just a symbolic issue or a question of political positioning, but a diplomatic tool in the service of the solution of two states living side by side in peace and security,” Séjourné continued. “France does not consider that the conditions have yet been met for this decision to have a real impact on this process.”

Germany similarly expressed support for a two-state solution but added that a “process of dialogue” was needed to reach that point.

“An independent Palestinian state remains a firm goal of German foreign policy,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said at a news conference in Berlin. “It’s clear to us that this requires a process of dialogue.”

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