Brussels: The European Union gave a strong response to Israel for declaring the move of Spain, Norway and Ireland to recognize Palestine as anti-Semitic.
According to the international news agency, the Israeli foreign minister announced the suspension of diplomatic activities, calling Spain, Norway and Ireland’s move to recognize Palestine as anti-Semitic.
Israel’s foreign minister recalled its ambassadors and envoys from Norway and Ireland, while refusing to cooperate with Spain’s consulate in Jerusalem.
Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz said in a statement of condemnation that the Spanish consulate in Jerusalem has also blocked access to Palestinian representatives and that this is a response to the recognition of Palestine by Spain, Norway and Ireland.
EU foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell has said that recognizing Palestine is not anti-Semitism at all. The Israeli Foreign Minister is miscalculating.
Joseph Borrell added that recognizing a Palestinian state is not anti-Semitism just as it is not support for Hamas, but on the contrary it is a step towards peace.
It should be noted that after the recognition of Palestine by Spain, Norway and Ireland, other European countries, France, Portugal, Belgium and Slovenia are also indicating to recognize the Palestinian state.
144 of the 193 UN member states have already recognized the state of Palestine, including Russia, China and India.
