Israel talks tough as Norway, Spain, Ireland recognise Palestine

Admin I Wednesday, May 22, 2024

 

TEL AVIV – Israel has officially reacted to the decision of Norway, Spain and Ireland to recognise Palestine as a sovereign state.

In a statement, Israel’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Israel Katz  said he has recalled ambassadors to Ireland and Norway, stressing that it remains a clear message to Norway and Ireland that Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security.

He said the decision to recognise Palestine will not deter its mission in Gaza to secure Israel.

“The Irish-Norwegian folly does not deter us; we are determined to achieve our goals: restoring security to our citizens, dismantling Hamas, and bringing the hostages home. There are no more just causes than these”, he said, adding that Israel will give the same treatment to Spain if it chooses to recognise Palestine. 

“I have instructed the immediate recall of Israel’s ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of these countries’ decisions to recognize a Palestinian state. I’m sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security. 

Today’s decision sends a message to the Palestinians and the world: Terrorism pays. After the Hamas terror organization 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 recognizing 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-defense. Israel will not remain silent – there will be further severe consequences.

 If Spain follows through on its intention to recognize a Palestinian state, a similar step will be taken against it.