Foreign Ministry Restricts Spanish Consulate Services to West Bank Palestinians

In a significant diplomatic move, Foreign Minister Israel Katz announced on Friday that the Spanish consulate in Jerusalem will no longer provide services to Palestinians from the West Bank. This decision follows Spain's recent announcement that it will recognize an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.

"I have decided to sever the connection between the Spanish mission to Israel and the Palestinians, and to prohibit the Spanish consulate in Jerusalem from providing services to Palestinians from the West Bank," Katz stated.

Katz's decision comes in response to comments by Spain’s Labor and Economy Minister Yolanda Díaz, who faced allegations of antisemitism for using the phrase “Palestine will be free from the river to the sea.” Katz criticized Díaz, suggesting she should learn about the 700 years of Islamic rule in Al-Andalus, modern-day Spain, to understand the intentions of radical Islam.

The phrase “From the river to the sea” references the Jordan River and the Mediterranean, and is seen by many Jews as promoting a reality in which Israel does not exist as a Jewish homeland. This phrase is interpreted by some as a call for the ethnic cleansing or genocide of Israel's Jews.

Tensions between Jerusalem and Madrid have heightened since the October 7 Hamas attack, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the kidnapping of 252 individuals. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has further strained relations.

In November 2023, then-foreign minister Eli Cohen recalled Israel’s ambassador after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed doubts about the legality of the war with Hamas. Additionally, Spain’s ambassador to Israel was summoned for a reprimand over this incident.

Jewish and Israeli groups have criticized several Spanish lawmakers in recent months for their anti-Israel or antisemitic statements. This includes Youth and Children Minister Sira Rego, who stated on October 16 that Palestinians had the "right to resist after decades of occupation" and called for the expulsion of the entire Israeli diplomatic delegation from Spain.

Following Spain’s announcement, alongside Ireland and Norway, of their recognition of a Palestinian state, Jerusalem responded by recalling its ambassadors for consultations. The Foreign Ministry summoned the envoys of these countries in Israel to view a video of Hamas capturing female Israel Defense Forces soldiers on October 7.

After the screening, the envoys were reprimanded by senior diplomats. Although Katz was on a diplomatic trip to France and not present, he had previously said that showing them the footage would emphasize the severity of their governments’ decisions.

The Kan public broadcaster reported that the screening and the prohibitions on the Spanish consulate were part of several measures Israel plans to take in response to these diplomatic actions. Other potential retaliatory measures include banning these diplomats from briefings.

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