The Spanish government on Tuesday called for the recognition of the state of Palestine within the 1967 borders, according to the Spanish TV channel RTVE.
“Spain will join more than 140 countries that have already recognized Palestine as a state. This is a historic decision whose sole purpose is to contribute to peace between Israelis and Palestinians,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said at a press conference following the government meeting. The press conference was broadcast by the Spanish TV channel RTVE.
He noted that “it is not directed against anyone, especially Israel”. According to Sanchez, Madrid recognizes Palestine within the 1967 borders. He specified that he hopes for the creation of a Palestine that includes the West Bank and Gaza Strip with its capital in East Jerusalem, governed by the Palestinian National Authority.
Spain recognized Palestine, along with Ireland and Norway, which sparked a serious political crisis in relations with Israel.
After it became known about the decision of these three countries to recognize the independence of the Palestinian state, the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced the recall of ambassadors to Spain, Ireland and Norway for consultations and threatened these countries with “serious consequences.” The ambassadors of these countries were summoned to the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
