Israel to Restrict Spain’s Consulate in Jerusalem

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz announced in response to remarks made by Spanish Second Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz, and Spain recognizing the State of Palestine, that Israel will prevent the Spanish consulate in Jerusalem from providing services to Palestinians from the West Bank. Katz stated on X:

In response to Spain’s recognition of a Palestinian state and the antisemitic call by Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister to not just recognize a Palestinian state but to ‘liberate Palestine from the river to the sea,’ I have decided to sever the connection between Spain’s representation in Israel and the Palestinians, and to prohibit the Spanish consulate in Jerusalem from providing services 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 Díaz was an “ignorant, hate-filled individual” after she stated the phrase “Palestine will be free, from the river to the sea” in her response to Spain announcing the recognition of the State of Palestine.