The Israeli government announced on Friday that it plans to summon the Belgian and Spanish ambassadors in response to remarks made by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo regarding the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The announcement came after the two leaders appeared at Egypt’s Rafah crossing on Friday where the first 13 of the Israeli hostages were set to arrive ahead of their release to Israel after 49 days as Hamas hostages, and held a press conference that raised eyebrows in Israel, in which they criticized the Jewish state for the suffering of Palestinian civilians.
Sánchez also called for European Union recognition of a Palestinian state, saying Spain might do so on its own. The Israeli government
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that it is time for the international community and the European Union to definitively recognize a Palestinian state. He emphasized the preference for a collective EU acknowledgment but noted that if this proves unattainable, Spain is prepared to make independent decisions in this regard. Sánchez made these remarks at the conclusion of a two-day visit to Israel, the Palestinian territories, and Egypt, alongside his Belgian counterpart Alexander De Croo. It is worth noting that Spain currently holds the EU’s rotational presidency, with Belgium set to take over in January.
Sánchez reiterated comments made Thursday to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the death of civilians.
“I also reiterate Israel’s right to defend itself but it must do so within the parameters and limits imposed by international humanitarian law and this is not the case,” Sánchez said. “The indiscriminate killing of civilians, including thousands of boys and girls, are completely unacceptable.”