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  • 17 Sep, 2024

Israel summons three ambassadors over recognition of Palestine

Israel summons three ambassadors over recognition of Palestine

The State Department is reportedly considering punitive action against Ireland, Spain, and Norway.

The ambassadors of Ireland, Spain and Norway were summoned to the Israeli Foreign Ministry and faced disciplinary action after their countries formally recognized the Palestinian state.

In a coordinated policy shift, the three governments announced on Wednesday that Palestine will be officially recognized as a sovereign state from May 28, in hopes of bringing peace to the Middle East through a two-state solution.

In response, West Jerusalem recalled the ambassadors of the three countries. Foreign Minister Israel Katz threatened "serious consequences" and said recognizing a Palestinian state would be tantamount to rewarding terrorism.

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According to Y-Net news agency, Katz is considering a number of punitive measures, including making it more difficult to issue visas and diplomatic documents to European representatives working for the Palestinian Authority. The Palestinian Authority, also known as the State of Palestine, is internationally recognized by countries such as Russia, China, Poland, Sweden and other European countries, and is recognized as the legitimate representative of Palestinian interests in the West Bank and Gaza. It is considered. It is seen as a rival to Hamas, which has ruled Gaza for 20 years.

Y-net reports that among the diplomats working for Ireland, Spain and Norway in Israel, there are dozens of diplomats who also serve as official representatives of the Palestinian Authority, which means that due to the introduction of visa restrictions, This means that cooperation with the US will be much more difficult, or even likely. Prevent it.

Katz is also reportedly considering weakening relations with the three countries by suspending the return of Israeli ambassadors to the three countries, as well as closing the Israeli embassies in Norway and Ireland and banning their officials from visiting them. ing.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly vowed to block the establishment of a Palestinian state, as Israel de facto controls the majority Palestinian territory. However, many UN member states, including Israel's ally the United States, are pushing for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that would create a Palestinian state in territory occupied by Israel since 1967.

Demands for Palestinian sovereignty have been growing since the Gaza conflict erupted when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages.

In response, Israel launched a brutal military operation in the Gaza Strip, killing more than 35,000 people, according to the Palestinian Health Authority. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Defense Minister, and three Hamas leaders, accusing them of war crimes.

Syed Haider

Syed Haider

BMM - MBA