Israel’s ambassador to Spain, Rodica Radian-Gordon, will return early next week after Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration confirmed there has been a “change for the better” in the Spanish government’s messaging on the conflict in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs This is a statement.
The new head of this department, Israel Katz He made this decision after observing the change in the statements of the Spanish government, which has been in office since January 1. “The importance of relations between Israel and Spain”, according to the description.
With the diplomat’s return to Madrid “early next week”The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it intends to continue its activities to support Israel’s right to protect its citizens from Hamas and to provide international pressure for the release of hostages still held by the terrorist organization in the Strip.
The Israeli ambassador was summoned for consultations on 30 November following comments by Head of Government Pedro Sánchez in which he questioned whether Israel respected the agreement. international human rights In Hamas’ military offensive in Gaza in response to the October 7 terrorist attack.
In its statement, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminded that the ambassador’s call for consultation in Jerusalem took place after the incident. “a series of problematic statements” by senior government officials.
diplomatic conflict
A week before this incident, Sánchez was preparing to return from Egypt after a tour that had taken him to Israel and Palestine the day before with the Belgian Prime Minister. Alexander de CrooThe Israeli Government summoned the Spanish ambassador to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Therefore, Israel was disturbed by the statements of the Head of Government. Rafa Passage, This was the only gateway to providing humanitarian aid to Gaza from Egypt, which considered them to be supporting Hamas terrorism, but was forcibly rejected by the Spanish administration, after which Radian-Gordon was summoned to the Foreign Office.
The ambassador’s call for consultations, a strong gesture to show his discomfort, came after Sánchez admitted he had “clear doubts” about Israel’s compliance with the rules of war when it comes to protecting civilians. number of victimsincluding children.
During his visit to Jerusalem, where he met with both Netanyahu and the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog Sánchez argued that, as before and after, Spain took a clear stance on this issue, directly condemning Hamas’ terrorist attack and recognizing Israel’s right to defend itself.
However, the Head of Government made clear that Israel’s military intervention must respect International Humanitarian Law and Protect the civilian population.
Proposing that an international peace conference be held once hostilities end, Sánchez also strongly argued that this was the best way to achieve peace. resolve conflict While it includes the implementation of the two-state solution, Palestinian authorityAs the legitimate representative of the Palestinians, he should be the one to assume control of Gaza once Israel’s offensive against Hamas ends.