What it is about
Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz was filmed chanting the highly controversial slogan “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” which has been widely interpreted as a call for the elimination of Israel. In light of her comments, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has taken definitive action to sever certain diplomatic ties with Spain.
Why it matters
Such remarks, especially from a high-ranking Spanish official, have profound diplomatic implications and contribute to anti-Israel sentiment in international circles. Foreign Minister Israel Katz’s strong response underscores Israel’s commitment to challenging rhetoric that threatens its sovereignty and existence.
Driving the news
During a recent speech, Díaz urged the European Union (EU) to cut all ties with Israel, accusing it of “war crimes” and “genocide” in the Gaza Strip and advocated for supporting lawsuits against Israel in international courts.
What they’re saying
Israel Katz sharply condemned Yolanda Díaz, calling her an “ignorant, hate-filled individual” and took steps to reduce the Spanish consulate’s interaction with Palestinians, including halting services provided by the consulate in Jerusalem to Palestinians from the West Bank.
“If this ignorant, hate-filled individual wants to understand what radical Islam truly seeks, she should study the 700 years of Islamic rule in Al-Andalus — today’s Spain,” Katz stated.
The bigger picture
According to Israeli authorities, the Spanish consulate in Jerusalem, which greatly focuses on Palestinian interaction, employs a significantly larger staff than the embassy in Tel Aviv. This underlines the importance of the consulate’s work, which the Israeli government is now moving to curtail.
The European Union’s Foreign Minister, Josep Borrell, weighs in by emphasizing that support for the Palestinian Authority should not be seen as endorsing Hamas, stating the importance of continuing diplomatic and financial relationships with the Palestinians.
What’s next
Israel’s Foreign Ministry is considering similar measures against other nations displaying anti-Israel sentiments, starting with Norway. Such actions indicate Israel’s growing readiness to utilize diplomatic tools to defend its international reputation and relations in response to calls undermining its legitimacy.
This story was first published on ynetnews.com.