FALCON POWERS – Spain rejected any “restriction” that the Israeli occupation government intends to impose on the activities of its consulate in occupied Jerusalem, in response to Madrid’s recognition of the State of Palestine.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said today, Friday, “This morning we sent an oral note to the Israeli government in which we rejected any restriction on the usual activity of the Spanish Consulate General in Jerusalem, as its status is guaranteed under international law.”
He added in an interview with Onda Cero radio, “Therefore, this status cannot be unilaterally changed by Israel,” noting that “Madrid has asked the Israeli government to rescind this decision.”
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said last Monday that it had asked the Spanish Consulate in Jerusalem to stop providing consular services to Palestinians in the West Bank as of June 1, due to Madrid’s recognition of the State of Palestine.
It added that “the Spanish Consulate in Jerusalem is authorized to provide consular services to the population of the consular district in Jerusalem only, and is not authorized to provide services or carry out consular activities for the population of the area under the Palestinian Authority.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz described this as a “punitive” measure, according to his description.
Last week, Spain, Ireland and Norway announced the recognition of the State of Palestine, a decision that came into effect on May 28 and provoked angry and extremist reactions from the Israeli occupation government.
On Thursday, the Slovenian government announced that it has decided to recognize the State of Palestine as an independent and sovereign state, and has referred the decision to the Slovenian National Assembly for approval next Tuesday.
