‘Terrorism pays’: Israeli fury as allies recognise Palestine
Israel has recalled its ambassadors from Ireland, Spain and Norway after the three nations announced they would recognise a Palestinian state.
Israel has recalled its ambassadors from Ireland, Spain and Norway for “urgent consultations” after the three European nations announced they would formally recognise a Palestinian state.
The co-orindated move prompted a furious response from Israel, with Foreign Minister Israel Katz saying: “Today’s decision sends a message to the Palestinians and the world: terrorism pays.
“After the Hamas terror organisation carried out the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, after committing heinous sexual crimes witnessed by the world, these countries chose to reward Hamas and Iran by recognising a Palestinian state.
“This distorted step by these countries is an injustice to the memory of the victims of 7/10, a blow to efforts to return the 128 hostages, and a boost to Hamas and Iran’s jihadists, which undermines the chance for peace and questions Israel’s right to self-defence.”
The three nations will formally recognise the state of Palestine on May 28.
Hamas seized on the announcement. “These successive recognitions are the direct result of this brave resistance and the legendary steadfastness of the Palestinian people … We believe this will be a turning point in the international position on the Palestinian issue,” Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas political bureau member, said.
The Palestine Liberation Organisation praised the moves as “historical moments in which the free world triumphs for truth and justice”.
The leaders of Ireland, Spain and Norway made separate announcements within an hour of each other. “A two-state solution is in Israel’s best interests,” said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, the first of the leaders to speak. He justified it as “a means of supporting the moderate forces which have been losing ground in this protracted and brutal conflict”.
“In the midst of a war, with tens of thousands killed and injured, we must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike: Two states, living side by side, in peace and security,” he said.
Ireland’s Prime Minister, Simon Harris, spoke next, saying it was a “historic and important day for Ireland and Palestine”, comparing it to Ireland’s struggles for independence from Britain.
He said the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas was “barbaric” but added that “a two-state solution is the only way out of the generational cycles of violence, retaliation and resentment”.
Speaking in parliament, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said: “This recognition is not against Israel, is not against the Jews. It is not in favour of Hamas. This recognition is not against anyone, it is in favour of peace and coexistence.”
Most Western governments, including the United States, say they are willing to one day recognise Palestinian statehood, but not before agreement is reached on borders and the status of Jerusalem. However, Mr Sanchez claimed his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu’s campaign of “pain and destruction” in the Gaza Strip was putting the two-state solution in “danger”.
According to the Palestinian Authority, which rules parts of the occupied West Bank, 142 of the 193 UN member countries recognise a Palestinian state, including the European nations of Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania.
Malta and Slovenia have also suggested they might recognise Palestine, saying a two-state solution is vital for lasting peace.
The reports came after Palestinians relaunched an application to become a full member state of the United Nations, after being granted non-member observer state status in 2012.
The move has so far been blocked by the US, most recently in April by vetoing a draft resolution calling for the UN General Assembly to hold a vote for broader Palestinian UN membership.
The diplomatic moves came as air and artillery strikes were reported on the southern Gazan city of Rafah, the last bastion of Hamas.
Ten people were also killed in the central town of Al-Zawaida during the night, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.
The World Health Organisation has said northern Gaza’s last two functioning hospitals, Al-Awda and Kamal Adwan, were besieged by Israeli forces, with more than 200 patients trapped inside.
AFP
More Coverage
Island’s ice melting at a cracking pace
Hungry polar bears in Greenland have been known to wander into town from the melting sea ice in search of food – one was shot and turned into polar bear soup.
It was brutal, but Guy Pearce got lucky
The actor, nominated for an Oscar and a BAFTA for his scene-stealing turn in The Brutalist, talks money, Neighbours and why he was terrible in Memento.